1.

0 INTRODUCTION

A cylinder is the common shape used to contain gasses or liquids. It can be given into
two categories, thin-walled and thick-walled cylinders. In this experiment, students were given
tasks to study only thin-walled cylinders. Both stresses are different from each other in terms
of where it is positioned. A cylinder is classified as thin-walled cylinder because it has a wall
thickness less than 7% of the inner diameter of the whole cylinder. The important parameter
needs to be considered in defining thin cylinder is D/t > 10, where D = internal diameter and t
= thickness. In real applications, thin cylinders are used in in boilers, pressure tanks, pipes etc.

During operation, thin-walled cylinders are subjected to two different stresses, which
are hoop (tangential) and axial stress. Hoop stress acted in the circumference of and
perpendicular to the axis and radius of the cylinder wall whereas axial stress act as normal
stress on the axial direction of the tube. There is a third stress that acted on a cylinder, which
is radial stress. It is neglected because it is only significant in thick cylinder applications.

Figure 1.1: Hoop stress and axial stress direction.

Thin-walled cylinder holds fluid with the pressure acting inside the cylinder, making it
closed end. In this condition, it has internal diameter, D and wall thickness, t to be considered
alongside the total length, L of the tube studied.

In this experiment, the thin cylinder study has been conducted by determining the
strains related to selected points on the surface of thin cylinder. The thin cylinder experiment
was performed to examine stress and strain. Furthermore, it was provided with two types of
condition which are Open end and Closed end. Open end is condition where the cylinder has
no axial load so that there is no direct axial stress. Closed end is condition where the cylinder
has axial load so that there is direct axial stress.

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 Main purpose of this experiment was to study the behavior of thin cylinder under
different internal pressure conditions. In addition, to determine the material elastic modulus,
E and Poisson’s ratio, v. Other than that, create the comparison between experimental strains
and theoretical value for a closed end cylinder.

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2.0 BACKGROUND

2.1 Axial Stress

Figure 2.1: Free body diagram of axial stress acting on thin-walled cylinder

From the Free Body Diagram (FBD), the cylinder is considered to be in equilibrium
state in the axial direction.

𝐹
We can conclude that ∑𝐹𝑎 = 0 and we know that 𝑃 = 𝐴, where A is the area

perpendicular to the applied force.

∑𝐹𝑎 = 0

𝑃(𝜋𝑟 2 ) − 𝜎𝑎 (2𝜋𝑟𝑡) = 0

𝑃(𝜋𝑟 2 ) = 𝜎𝑎 (2𝜋𝑟𝑡)

𝑃𝑟
𝜎𝑎 =
2𝑡

Where,

σa = axial stress , Pa r = radius of cylinder (inside), m

P = applied force, N t = cylinder thickness, m

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2.2 Hoop stress

Figure 2.2: Free body diagram of hoop stress acting on thin-walled cylinder

Hoop stress, also known as tangential stress act along the circumference of the cylinder
that oppose the internal pressure made by the fluid contained inside it. To obtain the stress,
consider the equation

𝐹
𝜎=
𝐴

We know that 𝐹 = 𝑃(𝐷𝐿) and 𝐴 = 2𝐿𝑡 along the cylinder.

𝑃𝐷𝐿 𝑃𝐷 𝑃𝑟
𝜎ℎ = = =
2𝐿𝑡 2𝑡 𝑡

Where,

σh = hoop stress, Pa r = cylinder radius, m

P = applied force, N t = cylinder thickness, m

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2.3 Poisson’s Ratio

Poisson ratio is the ratio of transverse expansion strain to longitudinal extension strain
in the direction of stretching force. A positive Poisson’s Ratio is when the material expands in
directions perpendicular to the compression direction. Also, when the material contracts in
directions transverse to the direction of tensile force, it is also considered a positive
(conventional) Poisson’s Ratio. A negative value (auxetic) is indicated when the material
shrinks in transverse direction when compressed and expand when stretched.

Figure 2.3: Difference between positive and negative Poisson’s Ratio

Poisson’s Ratio is explained using the equation below.

𝜀𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙
𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑛′ 𝑠 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜, 𝜈 = −
𝜀𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙

Where,

εlateral = lateral strain

εaxial = axial strain

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2.4 Modulus of Elasticity

An elastic modulus is a quantity that measures a material’s resistance to being deformed

elastically. The value is constant as long as it does not exceed the yield strength of the material.
It is defined on a stress-strain curve along the elastic region which obeys Hooke’s Law.
Stronger material has higher modulus of elasticity. It can be represented as the letter E.

𝜎
𝐸=
𝜀

Where,

E = modulus of elasticity, Pa

σ = normal stress, Pa

ε = normal strain, dimensionless

2.5 Stress-strain relationship

The equipment used, measures only strain values using strain gauges in order to
obtain deformation readings when a material is subjected to force during experiment. For
example, a stress in x-direction is subjected to the cylinder.

We already know that

𝜎𝑥
𝐸=
𝜀𝑥

And

𝜀𝑦
𝜈=−
𝜀𝑥

Rearrange Poisson’s Ratio equation,

ℇ𝑦 = −𝜈ℇ𝑥 (1)

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And rearrange Elastic modulus equation,

𝜎𝑥 = 𝐸𝜀𝑥

𝜎𝑥
𝜀𝑥 =
𝐸

Substitute into equation (1),

𝜎𝑥
𝜀𝑦 = −𝜈 ( )
𝐸

The equation above is valid for 1D application

For 2D application, it can be concluded that

𝜎𝑦 𝜎𝑥
𝜀𝑦 = −𝜈( )
𝐸 𝐸

If the stress is applied on y-direction, it is found that

𝜎𝑥 𝜎𝑦
𝜀𝑥 = −𝜈( )
𝐸 𝐸

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3.0 OBJECTIVES
 To determine the modulus of elasticity of material, E and the Poisson’s Ratio,
v.
 To observe the experimental hoop strain for the thin cylinder.
 To calculate the theoretical hoop strain for the thin cylinder.
 To compare both experimental and theoretical strains by plotting graph.
 To determine the vertical and horizontal deflections of a curved beam

4.0 METHDOLOGY

4.1 Open-ended condition

1. Connect thin cylinder to data logger and turn it on through the power outlet.
2. Tighten the valve on each end of the cylinder so that the condition is “open-ended”.
3. Calibrated equipment to zero before starting the experiment, by turning the load knob
to zero and setting the strain gauge to A1.
4. By adjusting load knob, the reading was taken on channel A1 so that it takes the reading
at 0˚ (axial) and A5 to take reading at 90˚ (longitudinal).
5. The experiment was repeated by increasing the load incrementally until it reaches 25
bar, which the maximum pressure of the equipment before failure.

4.2 Close-ended condition

1. The valve on each end of cylinder was loosen so that the condition is “close-ended”.
2. Experiment was started by setting the equipment and calibrating it to zero.
3. The load was applied on the cylinder through the load knob and the reading for channel
A1 at 0˚ was taken.
4. The reading for channels A2, A3, A4 and A5 was taken by adjusting the channel knob
to measure strain on angles 30˚, 45˚, 60˚ and 90˚ respectively.
5. Experiment was repeated by incrementally increasing the load until it reaches 25 bars.

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5.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Material Aluminum vessel

Length 0.4m
Outside diameter 0.075m
Inside diameter 0.0694m
Thickness 0.0028m

Max pressure = 35 bar

Pressure A1 A5 Poisson Hoop stress, Young

(MPa) (Axial) (Longitudinal) ratio (Pa) Modulus, E
(GPa)
0 0 0 - 0 -
5 0.0000112 0.0000957 - 0.117 6196428.57 64.7
10 0.0000237 0.0001612 - 0.147 12392857.14 76.9
15 0.0000372 0.0002281 - 0.163 18589285.71 81.5
20 0.0000504 0.0002968 - 0.169 24785714.29 83.5
25 0.0000633 0.0003528 - 0.179 30982142.86 87.8
Table 1: Result for Closed end thin cylinder

Hoop stress vs Hoop strain

35000000

30000000

25000000
Hoop Stress, Pa

20000000

15000000

10000000

5000000

0
0 0.0000957 0.0001612 0.0002281 0.0002968 0.0003528

Hoop Strain

Figure 5.1: Graph hoop stress vs hoop strain for closed end thin cylinder

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 From the Figure 1, it shows that the value of the Young’s Modulus was calculated from
the gradient of data below and obtained that Young’s Modulus is 76.25 GPa. The graph is
linearly increased while Hoop Stress is directly proportional to Hoop Strain as the pressure
inside cylinder increase.

Pressure A1 A5 Poisson Hoop stress, Young

(MPa) (Axial) (Longitudinal) ratio (Pa) Modulus, E
(GPa)
0 0 0 - 0 -
5 -0.000030 0.000086 0.348 6196428.57 71.9
10 - 0.0000576 0.000166 0.346 12392857.14 74.7
15 - 0.000084 0.000247 0.339 18589285.71 75.1
20 - 0.000085 0.0003198 0.266 24785714.29 77.5
25 - 0.0000853 0.0003361 0.256 30982142.86 78
Table 2: Result for Open end thin cylinder

Hoop stress vs Hoop strain

35000000

30000000

25000000
Hoop Stress, Pa

20000000

15000000

10000000

5000000

0
0 0.000086 0.000166 0.000247 0.0003198 0.0003361

Hoop Strain

Figure 5.2: Graph hoop stress vs hoop strain for open end thin cylinder

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 From the Figure 2, it shows that the graph is linearly increase while Hoop Stress is
directly proportional to Hoop Strain as the pressure inside cylinder increase. The higher hoop
stress is 30982142.86 Pa while the higher of hoop strain is 0.0003361. From the calculation
below, it shows that the Young’s Modulus is 74.95 GPa.

The experiment of thin cylinder has been done to determine the Young’s modulus, E and
Poisson’s ratio, ν. This experiment has two conditions; open-end cylinder and close-end cylinder. The
theoretical of Young’s modulus for aluminium is 70GPa. Noted that the higher the values of pressure
apply to the thin cylinder, the higher the value of stress and strain of the cylinder obtained. The
experimental value for Young’s modulus is obtained from gradient of hoop stress - hoop strain curve.
Meanwhile the Poisson’s ratio can be obtained from gradient of longitudinal strain - hoop strain curve.

For open-end cylinder condition, the Young’s modulus obtained is 76.25Gpa. Thus, the
percentage error is only 8.93%. During this condition, only value of hoop stress can be obtained. There
is no axial component of wall stress or called as longitudinal stress involved. As well as strain value,
there is only hoop strain value while does not have longitudinal strain value.

While for closed-end cylinder condition, the calculated Young’s modulus value is
74.95GPa. Thus, the percentage error is only 7.07%. During this condition, both longitudinal
and hoop stresses appear together. As well as strain value, there were both hoop strain and
longitudinal strain value can be obtained. Since Poison’s ratio can be calculated by longitudinal
strain divided by hoop strain.
Since there is percentage error value, it can be assuming that it might be disruption from
experimental errors occur during the experiment. To minimize the error, the experimental
procedure may be repeated for several times, within 3 to 4 times to get several values. Besides,
let the machine in stable condition in few seconds before start to record the data. In addition,
there is other way to determine the Young’s modulus and Poison’s ratio value which is by
tensile testing experiment.

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5.0 CONCLUSION

In the conclusion, the thin cylinder study has been conducted by determining the strains
related to selected points on the surface of thin cylinder and there are two types of condition
which are Open end and Closed end. In the Figure 1, the graph of Closed end thin cylinder is
linearly increased while Hoop Stress is directly proportional to Hoop Strain as the pressure
inside cylinder increase. In the Figure 2, it shown the same result of graph of Closed end thin
cylinder means that the graph is linearly increase while Hoop Stress is directly proportional to
Hoop Strain as the pressure inside cylinder increase. Noted that the higher the values of pressure
apply to the thin cylinder, the higher the value of stress and strain of the cylinder obtained.

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6.0 REFERENCES

1. Concepts of Physics, Young's Modulus by Searle's Method, Retrieved from

http://www.concepts-of-physics.com/resources/general/young-modulus-by-
searlemethod.php
2. Engineering core courses, C6.1 Thin-Walled Pressure Vessels Retrieved from
http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/solidmechanics1/C6-
combinedloadings/C6.1-thinwalled-pressure-vessels/theory/
3. James M.Gere (2004). Mechanics of Materials, Bill Stenquist

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