MELR11 - SOM/FMM LABORATORY
Name : Amishasharon Rajavijai Sahidha
Roll Number : 111120011
Ex. No: 4 COMPRESSION TEST ON OPEN COILED HELICAL SPRING
Date:02.09.2021
AIM:
To conduct compression test on given open coiled helical spring and to determine the Spring
Constant (K) and Modulus of Rigidity (N) of the spring wire.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
1. Spring deflection testing machine
2. Vernier caliper
3. An open coiled helical spring
THEORY:
A spring is an elastic object used to store mechanical energy and subsequently release it, to absorb
shock, or to maintain a force between contacting surfaces. Springs are usually made out of spring steel.
When a spring is compressed or stretched, the force it exerts is proportional to its change in length. The
spring constant of a spring is the change in the force it exerts, divided by the change in deflection of the
spring. That is, it is the slope of the force versus deflection curve. An extension or compression spring has
units of force divided by distance. A Coil spring, also known as Torsion springs because they store energy in
the form of torque.
In an open coil spring the spring wire is coiled in such a way, that there is a large gap between the
two consecutive turns. As a result the spring can take compressive load. Like closed coil spring the open coil
spring is subjected to axial loading during most applications.
Calculations:
64 � �3 � ��� � ���2� 2 ���2 �
Deflection � = �4 �
+
�
where.
N = Modulus of rigidity of spring Material (N/mm2)
W = Average load in (N)
� �1+�2
R = Mean radius of spring R= 2 = 2 (mm)
n = No of turns
δ = deflection (mm)
d = diameter of coil (mm)
MELR11 - SOM/FMM LABORATORY
α = Helix angle of spring
E = young’s modulus
Tan α = pitch / 2ПR
Pitch = (L-d) / n
Where,
d=Dia of spring wire in mm
L=Length of spring in mm
N=no of turns in spring
Stiffness of spring (K) =w / δ
Where,
δ = Deflection of spring in mm
w =Load applied in Newton
PROCEDURE:
1. By using Vernier caliper, the diameter of the wire of the spring, length of the spring and also the
inner and outer diameters of spring coil are measured.
2. Count the number of turns i.e. coils (n) of the given specimen.
3. The spring is inserted in the spring testing machine and the least count of the dial gauge is noted.
4. The load is applied and corresponding axial deflection is noted from the scale attached to the
machine.
5. Deflection of the spring was noted for 4 N rise in load.
6. Spring constant and Rigidity Modulus are calculated analytically by taking average values
7. Plot a curve between load and deflection. The slope of the curve gives the stiffness of the spring.
MELR20 - SOM/FM LABORATORY
OBSERVATION:
Number of turns in spring (n) = 10
Length of the spring (L) = 140 mm
Inner diameter of spring (Do) = 42 mm
Outer diameter of spring (Di) = 50 mm
Mean diameter of spring (D) = 46 mm
Diameter of spring wire (d) = 4 mm
Radius = 23 mm
Helix Angle = 6.15 degrees
Pitch = 15.56 mm
TABULATION:
Axial deformation (mm) Spring Modulus of
Load (W)
S. No Constant Rigidity (N)
(N) Loading Unloading Average (K) (N/mm) (N/mm2)
1 7 2.0 1.8 1.9 3.65 1.13 x105
2 11 3.8 3.6 3.7 2.95 0.91 x105
3 15 5.6 5.4 5.5 2.70 0.83 x105
4 19 7.2 6.9 7.05 2.71 0.82 x105
5 23 8.7 8.4 8.55 2.69 0.82 x105
6 27 10.4 10.1 10.25 2.64 0.81 x105
7 31 12.0 11.6 11.8 2.53 0.81 x105
8 35 13.5 13.2 13.35 2.63 0.80 x105
9 39 15.0 14.5 14.75 2.63 0.81 x105
10 43 16.5 16.0 16.25 2.65 0.81 x105
11 47 18.2 17.6 17.9 2.62 0.80 x105
12 51 20.0 19.5 19.75 2.59 0.79 x105
Mean: 2.75 0.845 x105
Department of Mechanical Engineering
MELR20 - SOM/FM LABORATORY
GRAPH:
[The following graph has been plotted on an online graph creator]
A graph is plotted between load and deflection with load along y-axis and deflection along –
axis.
From graph: [Slope, Intercept] = [2.519,1.554]
Slope of the straight line is calculated ,
�
Slope = Spring constant (K) = δ
= 2.519 N/mm
Spring constant can be used to find rigidity modulus
RESULT:
1. SPRING CONSTANT (K)
a) Analytically = 2.75 N/mm
b) Graphically = 2.519 N/mm
2. MODULUS OF RIGIDITY (N)
c) Analytically = 0.845 x 105 N/mm2
d) Graphically = 0.708 x 105 N/mm2
Department of Mechanical Engineering
MELR20 - SOM/FM LABORATORY
Questions:
1. State the functions of springs.
Springs are used for many purposes, and one spring may serve more than one purpose. Listed
below are some of the more common of these functional purposes. As you read them, try to
think of at least one familiar application of each.
To force a component to bear against, to maintain contact with, to engage, to disengage,
or to remain clear of some other component.
To store energy for part of a functioning cycle.
To counterbalance a weight or thrust (gravitational, hydraulic, etc.). Such springs are
usually called equilibrator springs.
To maintain electrical continuity.
To return a component to its original position after displacement.
To reduce shock or impact by gradually checking the motion of a moving weight.
To permit some freedom of movement between aligned components without disengaging
them. These are sometimes called take-up springs.
2. List the applications in springs.
Springs are used in the following areas:
Automobile suspension system.
In cam-follower assembly, we use spring too.
Spring is used in railway boogies.
We used spring in the clutch, brake, and valve assembly to exert force on these objects.
Springs are used in garage doors, gardening equipment, door lock, and many other
household accessories.
3. What are the differences between helical torsion spring and helical tension springs?
Torsion spring is one kind of close coil helical spring. In this type of spring, when
twisting occurs then the spring stored the energy inside it, and when the twisting force
lifted it push back to its actual position. When it is twisted than a torque generated at the
opposite direction of the twisting force, which helps the spring to back its actual shape.
Tension springs, tensional springs or extension springs, are tightly wound coils designed
to operate with the force known as ‘tension’. They usually have a loop or hook at either
end for attachment purposes.
Department of Mechanical Engineering
