basic mechanical tests

7/31/2019 Basic Mechanical Tests

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CHAPTER

FIVEBASIC MECHANICAL TESTS

5.1. UNIAXIAL TENSION AND COMPRESSION

Static tensile and compressive testing are the most fundamental tests to define material

properties. Typically, the tests are carried out by increasing the uniaxial load gradually,i.e., statically, until failure occurs. Properties to be defined through testing include:

Strengths: yield, ultimate, rupture, etc. Strains: Elastic modulus, Poissons ratio Elongation, and shortening Uniaxial stress - strain relationships

5.1.1 Tensile Tests

A tensile test specimen for metal has three portions, the central testing portion and

two dummy ends for setting in the testing machine, as shown in Figure 5.1. A gradualfillet transit is typically shaped between the testing portion and the end to avoid stress

concentration. The ends may be of any shape, plain or threaded, to fit the holders of the

testing matching in such a way that the load is axial.

Figure 4.1. Typical tension specimens.


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CE334 Notes, Prof. Y. Xiao

Chapter 5. BASIC MECHANICAL TESTS

Typically around specimen is suitable for bars while a rectangular section specimen is

suitable for sampling from plates or sheets metals, as well as wood. Figure 5.2 (a) and (b)

show the ASTM standard tension specimens for ductile metals and cast iron,

respectively.

(a)

(b)

Figure 5.2. Standard tensile specimens for: (a) ductile metal (ASTM E8); (b) round cast

iron (ASTM E8, A48).

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f tension specimen are also highly sensitive to the manufacturing

ccuracy and precision. Manufacturing faults, such as eccentricity, inclination, offset,

nec

ode of universal

testing machine. Figure 5.4. illustrates the typical setup, where the tensile load is applied

to

The testing results o

a

king, etc., can cause a premature failure mode.

Figure 4.3. Common faults in tensile specimen.

The tensile tests are typically conducted using the tension testing m

the specimen ends through gripping jaws or threads. The gripping jaws hold thespecimen ends through a wedge action. A universal testing machine typically can provide

two types of outputs for tensile testing, i.e., the load through the built in load cell, and the

loading platen displacement. The loading platen displacement, however, can not be used

to determine the strain of the specimen, since it involves the deformation of the machine

system. The true specimen deformation must be detected using the extentiometers. Most

modern computer controlled universal testing machines allow the connection of

extentiometers and output the readings.

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Figure 4.4. Tensile test setup.

The standard tension specimens for wood are shown in Figure 5.5. Since the

echanical properties for wood are highly dependent on the grain orientation, thus,tensm

ion tests must be conducted for both in-grain and out-of-grain directions.

Figure 4.5. Standard tensile specimen for wood (ASTM D143).

For brittle materials, such as concrete, the direct tensile tests are typically very

ifficult to conduct and offer less meaningful information. The tensile strength of

con

.1.2. Compression Test Specimen.

Compression tests for metals are not conducted as often as tensile tests. One of the

articularly steel are used primarily as tension or

ben

d

crete is commonly determined by so-called splitting tests, which will be discussed in

Chapter 6.

5

reasons is the because that metals p

ding members. Another reason is that main information on mechanical properties for

metals can be obtained through tension test that can be conducted more easily and

consistently than a compression test for the similar size specimen. However, for brittle

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igure 5.6 shows typical compression test specimens for metallic materials. The short

spe

nonmetallic materials such as concrete, the situation is completely reversed, as discussed

in Chapter 7.

F

cimens are for testing of bearing metals; medium specimens are for general use; and

the long specimens are for obtaining the modulus of elasticity in compression.

Figure 5.6. Compression specimens for metallic materials in other than sheet forms

.2. SHEAR AND TORSION

esides tension and compression, which act normal to a plane, shearing stress acting

.2.1. Direct Shear Tests

n in Figure 5.7, are often used to determine the direct shear

stre

Johnson shear tools are used for single and double shear testing of round or rectangular

(ASTM E9).

5

B

parallel to a plane is also very important. Direct shear and torsion are the loading

conditions causing shear stresses.

5

Direct shear tests, show

ngth only, in which shear strain is typically no measured. These types of testing are

important to determine the strength of structural connections.

stocks, as shown in Figure 5.8. Other direct shear tests, such as slotted specimens for flat

metal, and direct shear test for wood are shown in Figure 5.9 and Figure 5.10,

respectively.

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Figure 4.7. Direct shear testing: (a) double shear; (b) single shear.

(a) (b)

Figure 5.8. (a) Johnson shear tool for double or single shear tests; (b) Plate punch shear.

Figure 5.9. Slotted specimen for flat metal.

Figure 5.10. Method of testing wood in direct shear (ASTM D 143).

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5.2.2. Torsion Tests

Torsion, as shown in Figure 5.11, often exists in machinery structural members and

parts. Since a pure shear stress state can be obtained, shear stain can be easily measured.

Torsion test is typically used in determining shear modulus of metal.

Figure 5.11. Torsion

As shown in Figure 5.11, the following relationships exist for torsion members,

stress: max =Tr

J(5.1)

where, the J is the polar moment of inertia, and J= r4/36, for circle solid.

angle of twist: =TL

JG(5.2)

Direct torsion test is typically conducted using torsion testing machine, which iscapable to apply and measure the toques. Figure 5.12 shows typical types of failure

patterns.

Spring: Helical springs subjected to tension or compression constitute one type of shear

conditions since stresses developed in the spring wire sections are essentially dominated

by torsional shear stresses.

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Figure 5.12. Failure patterns

intorsion: (a) solid ductile

metal bars; (b) solid brittle

metal bars; (c) ductile metal

tube; (d) brittle metal tube.

5.3. STATIC BENDING

It a piece of material is subjected to forces which induce compression stress over one part

of a cross section of the piece and tension stress over the remaining part, the piece is

called in a bending condition. Beams are the structural elements mainly for resisting

bending. Bending and shear are often occur simultaneously.

Figure 5.13. Bending of simply supported beams.

4.3.1 Beam Elastic Theory ReviewAssumptions:

(i) Small deformation;

(ii) Plane remain plane i.e. linear distributions for strain in a cross section;

(iii) = E , linear.

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Figure 5.14. Elastic bending.

Integration of moment by stresses in the section,

M yA

= dA, (5.3)

The most important issue is to find the extreme stress, m. For rectangular section,

=

=

yh

dA b dy

m/ 2

= =

= +

= =

M ydAy

hbdy

b

hy

b

h

h h

bh

h

I

hS

h

h

h

h

m

m

h

h

m

m

m

m

/

/

/

/

/

/

/.

2

2

2

22

3

2

2

3 3

2

1

3

2

3 8 8

2

=2

=2

12

3

(5.4)

where, the moment of inertia,

Ibh

=3

12(5.5)

and the section modulus,

S=I/hbh

/ 2 =6

2

(5.6)

5.3.2. Plastic Moment

The above theory only works for the case where m < y in elastic range, or m < y. Ifthe extreme stress just equals to the yield strength of the material, then the moment

reaches thefirst-yield momentcapacity:

My = Sfy. (5.7)

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)

y

This moment is the elastic limit for a section, and beyond that the increase in load

carrying capacity slows down. In order to examine the post yielding performance of a

bending member, the assumptions must be reconsidered. The first assumption of small

deformation can be applied for pure bending condition, despite the deformation is not

small anymore. Experimental evidence indicates that the second assumption can be still

applicable for post yielding behavior. However, the third one must be modified, i.e., theHookes law must be abandoned. In general, the stress-strain relationship (constitutive

law) can be expressed as,

(5.8) = f(

For perfect elastio-plastic materials:

(5.9)

= =

<

f

f

E

f

y y

y

y

( )

> y

Figure 5.15. Post yielding bending.

As shown in Figure 5.15, the post yielding moment M can be calculated as the

summation of the moment carried by the elastic core,My, and the moment carried by the

plastic zones,Mp, given by,

M=My+Mp (5.10)

where,My can be obtained,

M S f b fy y' '= = 2

6 y. (5.11)

where, = elastic cone depth.

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( )

( ) ( )

M f bh h

f b hh

f b h h

p y

y

y

'=

+

+

+

22 2 2 2 2

1

2

1

2 2 2

14

=

=

(a)

thus,

( )M b hp '= 1

4

2 2 fy (5.12)

Substituting equations (5.11) and (5.12) to equation (5.10),

( )M M M bf

h b hfy p y' ' '= + = +

2 2 2 2 2

6 4 4

3

12

= y (5.13)

or,

M S fy y'= (5.14)

( )S

b hy =

312

2 2(5.15)

Compare with S,

( ) ( ) ( )S b h h bh b h S b hy = + = + = + 2

12 6 12 12

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Apparently, Sy>S, andM>My, i.e. load can be increased.

Rewriting Syusing strain ductility factor,

= = h s

y

1 (5.16)

(S bh bh hy = + 2 2 2 2

6 121 / ) (a)

S S Sy = +

1

21

12

. (5.17)

When, = 1, Sy = S, M = My.

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= = = +, S Z Sy1

2S

Plastic modulus,

Zbh

=2

4(5.18)

Plastic moment for rectangular section,

M Z fbh

fp y= =2

4 y(5.19)

5.3.3. Moment and Curvature Relationship

As shown in Figure 5.15, the post-yield curvature can be defined as,

= = =m

y

h/ /2 2

2 y(5.20)

The curvature at the first yield of the section,

y

y

h= = y

h/ 2

2(5.21)

Curvature ductility factor can then be defined as,

= = = =y

m

y

m

y

h

h

2

2

/

/ (5.22)

i.e., the curvature ductility factor is equal to the strain ductility factor.

On the other hand, the ratio between the post yield moment and the first yield moment

can be defined as the over-strength ratio,

= = = +

M

M

S

Sy

y'.1 0 5 1

12

. (5.23)

From equation (5.23), the ductility factor can also be expressed as the over-strength

factor,

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=

1

1 2 1M

My

(4.24)

Numerical values, = 1 = 1 = 1.2 = 1.153 = 1.4 = 1.245 = 1.6 = 1.305 = 1.8 = 1.346 = 2 = 1.375 = 4 = 1.469 = 6 = 1.486 = 10 = 1.495 = = 1.5

Figure 5.16. Moment curvature relationship for rectangular section.

The post yield moment is dependent on the shape of the section. Figure 5.17 shows the

moment-curvature relationships for several typical sections.

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Figure 5.17. Moment curvature relationships for different sections.

5.3.4. Curvature Distributions

In the simply supported beam shown in Figure 5.18, the curvature distribution along the

beam in the elastic range is linear, similar to the distribution of moment within the shear

span, l. However, the curvature distribution becomes nonlinear along a segment wherethe sectional moment exceeds the first yield. The length of the nonlinear segment is,

x

= 1

1

(5.25)

For example,

=1.25, x=0.2l, =1.4=1.375, x=0.273l, =2=1.444, x=0.307l, =3=1.5, x=l/3, =

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Figure 5.18. Curvature distribution.

5.3.5 Deflection

If the beam is within elastic range, i.e., M


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12

2

1

3

1

2

22

2 14 83

=

= =

= =

=

B

c B

B B

c B c B

l

l l l

l l

elastic

sin sin

2

2 2

(5.26)

After the beam developed yielding, the deflection can be found by solving the

following fundamental governing equation,

d x

dxx

2

2

( )( )= (5.27)

Alternatively, the displacement at the mid-span of the beam can be approximatelycalculated by integrating the approximate curvature distribution, as shown in Figure 5.20.

Thus,

+ +1

3 2

1

8

2 Bc

B Bll

l" ''

' 2cl' (5.28)

Figure 5.20.

5.3.6. Bending Test Apparatuses

The test setup for beam bending tests typically involves loading and supporting blocks,

which should satisfy the following requirements:

i. They should be designed and shaped in such way to allow accurate

measurements of span length.

ii. The contact areas should be appropriate to avoid stress concentration.

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iii. The supports should allow longitudinal adjustment to avoid the secondary

restraint to the length change.

iv. The supports and loading blocks should accommodate slight rotational

adjustment to avoid the build up of torsional stresses.

v. The arrangement of parts should be stable under load.

Figure 5.21 shows typical supporting and loading devices for various beam tests.

Figure. 5.21. Typical beam test setups.

Illustrating Example 5.1: In order to assess the strength of clay roof tiles, transverse

break tests on individual tiles should be performed. The one-piece and two-piece clay

tiles are tested following ASTM standard C1167-94a. Figure 5.22 shows the test setuprecommended by ASTM C1167.

As shown in Figure 5.22, the tile sample is tested in a simply supported beam

configuration with the span of 12in. (305mm). The supports and the loading jig are made

of 1in. (25mm) thick wood blocks with their contact surfaces fitting the tile profile. A

3/16in. (5mm) thick and 1in. (25mm) wide rubber shim with its hardness no greater than

Shore Durometer 30 (A scale) is placed between the contact surfaces of the tile and the

wood blocks, in order to smoothly transfer the load to the tile. All loading and support

blocks are placed parallel to each other and perpendicular to the center line of the tile.

Spherical steel bearings are used between the interfaces of the blocks and the loading

plates of the universal testing machine. The tiles samples should be loaded uniformly and

continuously without any shock at a loading rate of less than 1000lbf. (4550N)/min. until

fracture.

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Figure 5.22. Setup for bending strength testing of roof tiles.

5.4. HARDNESS TESTS

Because that the fundamental nature of hardness is not yet clearly understood, there is no

single measure of hardness universally applicable to all materials. Generally speaking,

hardness is the indication of solidity and firmness of a material. Several definitions of

hardness have been developed for quantitatively expressing the material performance

under different service conditions, such as,

i. Indentation hardness: resistance to permanent indentation under static or dynamic

loads;

ii. Rebound hardness: energy absorption under impact loads;

iii. Scratch hardness: resistance to scratching;iv. Wear hardness: resistance to abrasion;

v. Machinability: resistance to cutting or drilling.

It is commonly considered that the hardness has something to do with the interatomic

forces of the material. However, such interatomic forces appear to affect the hardness in

different way when the measuring methods are different, thus no method of measuring

hardness uniquely indicates any other single mechanical property. It is obvious that a

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given type of test is of practical use only for comparing the relative hardnesses of similar

materials on a common basis. For example, the results of ball-indentation tests on steel

serve nicely to evaluate the effectiveness of a series of heat-treatments on a given steel or

even to classify steels of various compositions, but have no meaning when compared

with results of such tests performed on rubber.

5.4.1 Standard Tests

Static indentation hardness tests are based on the principle of applying a static load

on an indenter, which in turn permanently deforms the specimen.

TheBrinell tests consists of pressing a hardened steel ball into a specimen. According

to ASTM specifications (ASTM E 10), the steel ball is 10mm in diameter and the load

used is 3000kgf for hard metals, 1500kgf for metals of intermediate hardness and 500kgf

for soft materials.

TheRockwell test is similar to the Brinell test in principle, however, the indenters and

the loads used are smaller (the masses being 60, 100, or 150 kg) and the resultingindentation is smaller and shallower. The test is widely used in industrial work and the

procedure has been standardized by ASTM E 18. The details of the Rockwell test will be

discussed in the next section.

The Rockwell superficial-hardness test uses a special-purpose machine intended

exclusively for hardness tests where only very shallow indentation is possible and where

it is desirable to know the hardness of the specimen close to the surface, such as for

nitrided steel, razor blades, lightly carburized work, brass, bronze and steel sheet.

The relative size of the indentations made by the Brinell, ordinary Rockwell, and the

Rockwell superficial-hardness testers for one material are illustrated in Figure 5.23.

(A) Superficial Rockwell, N diamond cone, 30kg load, 0.046mm.

(B) Common Rockwell, C diamond cone, 150kg load, 0.13mm.

(C) Brinell, 10-mm ball, 3000kg load, 0.25mm.

Figure 5.23. Comparative impressions in steel (Rockwell C39) using Brinell andRockwell testers.

The Vickers hardness test is also based on the same principle as Brinell test, however

uses an indenter of diamond point in the shape of a pyramid with a square base. The

angle between the opposite faces is 136 (ASTM E 92). The advantage of the Vickers testis that more accurate reading can be taken from the diagonal of a square indentation.

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5.4.2. Rockwell Tests

Rockwell tests are conducted in a specially designed apparatus that applies load

through a system of weights and levers. Figure 5.24 shows the photograph of one model

of Rockwell tester. The indenter or penetrator may be either a hardened steel ball or a

diamond cone with an angle of 120 and a somewhat rounded point. Balls with diameter

of 1.6mm to 12.7mm are also used.

Figure 5.24. Wilson Rockwell tester.

Figure 5.25. Operation procedure for Rockwell tester.

Figure 5.25 illustrates the operation procedure for the Rockwell testing. Rockwell

tests differ from other hardness tests in that the depth of the indentation is measured,

rather than the size. An initial load, called a minor load of 10kg is first applied, to set the

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indenter on the material and hold it in the reference position. The major load is then

applied and the final penetration due to the major load is measured. The Rockwell

hardness is directly read from a dial on the tester. Table 5.1 shows the Rockwell hardness

scale, which has a maximum useful value around 100. One unit of regular Rockwell

hardness corresponds to a penetration of 0.002mm. Hence, the hardness number is:

Table 5.1 Commonly Used Rockwell Hardness Scales

HRX Mh

=

0 002.(5.25)

where h is the difference of the penetrations caused by the minor and the major loadsmeasured in millimeters;Mis equal to 100 for all scales using the diamond point (A, C,

and D scale), and equal to 130 for all scales using ball indenters (B, E, M, R, etc., scales).

For example, 60 HRC indicates 60 points on the C scale.

5.5 IMPACT TESTS

Impact is a special dynamic loading in which a load is applied suddenly. Notch-impact

tests are most widely used to provide information on the resistance of a material tosudden fracture, where a sharp stress raiser or a flaw is present. In these tests, the energy

required to produce rupture is determined to exhibit relative tendency of brittleness.

The most common tests of this type are the Charpy V-notch and Izod tets.

Specimens and loading concepts are illustrated in Figure 5.26. These tests are typically

performed using a pendulum type of machine, as shown in Figure 5.27. The energy

required to cause rupture of the sample is determined from an indicator that measures

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how high the pendulum swings after breaking the sample. Examples for the broken

Charpy specimens are shown in Figure 5.28. The Izod test is often used for testing impact

resistance of polymers (plastics).

(a) (b)

(c)

Figure 5.26. Specimens and loading configurations for (a) Charpy V-notch and (b) Izod

tests; (c) notch details.

Figure 5.27. Universal pendulumimpact tester

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Figure 5.28. Broken Charpy specimens.

REFERENCES

Ref.5-1. H.E. Davis, G.E. Troxell and G.F.W. Hauck, The Testing of Engineering

Materials, McGraw-Hill Book Company, The fourth edition 1982.

Ref.5-2. James W. Dally and William F. Riley Experimental Stress Analysis,

McGraw-Hill, Inc., The third edition, 1991.

LABORATORY PROJECT

Project-5.1: Static bending test of mild steel bar.

Object: Through loading, instrumentation of a simply supported steel bar with arectangular section to observe mild steel performance in bending and to

estimate the yield moment and the plastic moment.

Group Assignments: Three groups with three to four students each will be assigned for

each lab session. Each group is responsible to test one steel bar in bending

and to conduct necessary analysis. The test configurations are different for

each group.

Material Properties: Assume an elastic modulus of 200,000MPa, yield strength of

390MPa.

Required Work: Based on the above material properties, predict the yield load, and the

ultimate load. Conduct bending test of the steel bar to failure and obtain

the load - displacement data. Compare the test results with the predictions.

Report Requirements:

1. Each student should write and submit an individual project report.

2. Note that the report must use SI unit!

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3. The report should cover the followings, but should not exceed 3 A4 pages.

This page limit should be strictly followed.

i. A brief description of the project.

ii. Description of the test including sample dimensions and test setup and

procedure.

iii. Pre-test prediction to the first yield load and the ultimate load.iii. Test results of load - deflection curve. Compare the predicted loads in the

same figure.

iv. Brief description of the comparison for the yield and ultimate loads. .

v. A brief conclusion.

Project-5.2: Hardness tests of steel.

Object: To study the Rockwell hardness testers and to determine the hardness

numbers of assigned specimens of steel and compare the effects of carbon

contents and heat treatment.

Group Assignments: Four groups with three students each will be assigned for each lab

session.

Required Work: Each group is responsible to test three steel samples assigned. Each

student within a group is responsible to conduct three tests on one

specimen and record the hardness numbers.

Report Requirements:

1. Each group should write and submit an individual project report.

2. The report should cover the followings, but should not exceed 3 A4 pages..i. A brief description of the project.

ii. Description of the test including samples and test setup and procedure.

iii. Tabulate the tested and average hardness numbers for each specimen.

iv. Brief description of the trend of the hardness related to the carbon content and

heat treatment.

v. A brief conclusion.

Project-5.3: Impact tests.

Object: To study the pendulum type impact-testing machine and to determine therelative impact resistance of a steel in the form of notched-bar Charpy

specimens.

Group Assignments: The full lab session as one group.

Required Work: Observe the specimens and the machine prior the testing; study the

operating procedures including safety issues; examine and obtain the

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energy loss by swing the pendulum without a specimen; observe the

testing; read the impact test results; examine the tested specimens.

Report Requirements: not required, however, the followings are suggested topics for

discussion among the group.

i. How to calculate the impact energy if the machine does not have directreadings for energy?

ii. How to correct the energy loss due to friction?

iii. What is the effects of temperature on impact resistance?

iv. Why are the impact-flexure specimens notched?

v. What are the differences of failure modes for different steel.

HOMEWORK PROBLEMS

IMPORTANT NOTE: None of the following question is required. However, successfulexecution of the testing of question 5.1 and submitting a satisfactory report can be added

up to 5% to the final score. Three weeks after signing up are allowed for this exercise.

Also the necessary material and additional cost, if reasonable, will be provided by the

Structural and Material laboratory.

5.1 Develop a testing plan to conduct fundamental tests on any material that feasible for

testing using the universal testing machine. Suggested topics are:

i. Torsion strength of soda cans;

ii. Bending strength of bricks or concrete masonry blocks (conform to the

relevant ASTM standards);

iii. Compression and bending strengths of 2x4 timbers (conform to the relevantASTM standards);

iv. Tensile strength of human hair;

v. etc.

5.2 A simply supported beam with rectangular section is subjected to a concentric force

at its mid-span. Using any spreadsheet program to calculate and depict the curvature

ductility factor distribution along the beam corresponding to the critical moment in

the beam equal to 1.375, 1.444, and 1.469 times of the first yield moment.

basic mechanical tests

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