MER 214 STRENGTH OF MATERIALS LABORATORY – FALL 2025
Week 2 lab - Tensile Testing
Note: AI assistance in any manner is not allowed for this lab.
Lab Objective: The primary objective of this laboratory is to generate elastic and tensile
strength properties data for four metals and compare them to published data.
Materials Properties Data: Each team is to perform a single tensile test to failure. Tests are to
be conducted with the MTS materials testing system. The specimens are made from the
following alloys: low carbon steel, 260 brass, 353 brass, and 6061-T aluminum.
Be sure to use safety glasses during the tensile test.
Laboratory Procedure:
Students should complete the following:
(1) Measure the cross-sectional area and gauge length of each of the samples.
(2) Measure the gauge length of the extensometer.
(3) At the MTS machine:
- Mount the specimen within the wedge grips.
- Conduct the tensile test experiment with your instructor.
Post-Lab Data Reduction:
The following must be performed and/or determined by each student:
(1) Plot the engineering stress vs. extensometer strain for each sample tested. You will be
making a plot for all four of the samples tested during your lab section (not just the one you
completed).
(2) Determine the elastic modulus E from extensometer displacement for each sample by linear
regression in the elastic region.
(3) Plot the engineering stress vs. crosshead strain for all of the samples.
(4) Determine the "crosshead" elastic modulus Ec derived from the crosshead displacement for
each material by linear regression in the elastic region. Note that Ec is NOT a material
property as it takes into consideration the load frame system compliance and not solely the
material.
(5) Determine the 0.2% strain offset yield stress and ultimate tensile strength from the plotted
stress-strain curve.
(6) Compare all measured material properties to published values.
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MER 214 Strength of Materials Laboratory
Tensile Testing
Reporting Requirements – upload your report to Nexus by 9:00 am on Tuesday, September
23 (10 points possible). Upload your report in pdf format.
Prepare the Results and Discussion sections of a full report.
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For the Results section: Describe the figures of the Post-Lab Data Reduction in paragraph
form. Provide a descriptive figure caption for each figure introduced. Be sure to provide
sufficient detail in the figure caption. Introduce the figure before presenting it. Figures
should be placed immediately following the paragraph that discusses them. Finish the
paragraph rather than placing the figure mid-paragraph. If you include data from another
author’s figure as a figure in your write-up you must cite them in both your paragraph and
in the figure caption. Incorporate the reference into your discussion, with the first reference
being reference 1, the next one being reference 2, etc.
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For the Discussion section: Discuss the findings from the lab and how this information
compares to published discussions of the properties examined in this lab. Explain the
potential reasons for differences, if noted. Reference your source of information. Be
sure to incorporate any references used directly into your discussion and use the ASME
citation format when listing your references.
Please be mindful of the following guidance as you write your summary:
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Be consistent with the verb tense throughout your write-up.
Do not use any pronouns (I, we, you, our, etc.) in your write-up.
Confirm your units are present and accurate.
For whole numbers less than 10, spell the number out. It is okay to keep the measured
data as numeric values. Be mindful of significant figures when you present your final
numeric values.
Label all plots and pictures as figures. Assign a figure number to each plot or figure and
provide a descriptive figure caption. Place the figure as soon as possible after it is
mentioned in the text (following the conclusion of the paragraph mentioning it). Figures
should be presented in numeric order starting with figure 1.
Proof-read your summary for typographical errors and incomplete sentences.
Each section of your report does not have to be that long as long as you cover the
discussion points requested. Always try to be concise.
Incorporate the references into your discussion.
Include a References section after your Discussion section. You do not need to place the
Reference section on a new sheet of paper. Use the ASME citation style for your
references.
Your work will be assessed on the average of your initial submission and any required
revision for the assignment.
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