Construction Materials and Testing

UNIVERSAL TESTING MACHINE • Load Frame – It consists of a table (to place the
specimen for compression test), upper
Learning Outcomes crosshead, and lower crosshead.
At the end of the session the students should be able to: • Upper/Lower crosshead: Upper crosshead is
to clamp the specimen needs to be tested from
1. Identify components of Universal Testing Machine top or its one end; Lower crosshead is the
(UTM); movable crosshead whose screws can be
2. Identify the functions of Universal Testing Machine loosened for height adjustment and tightened.
(UTM); and • Elongation Scale – The relative movement of
3. Perform Universal Testing Machine with the use of the lower and upper table is measured by an
videos from laboratory activities. elongation scale which is provided along with
the loading unit.
What is Universal Testing Machine (UTM)
CONTROL UNIT
To test mechanical properties of a material such
as compressive, tensile, shear and flexural must use this - Where the load is applied and get the
machine called Universal Testing Machine (UTM). This corresponding test result. The load is
testing machine can make a stress strain diagram that applied with control valve and released by
we used to compute yield strength, tensile strength, and release valve. The load is applied with the
others. help of hydraulic pressure.
- Consists of following components:
• Hydraulic Power Unit – This unit consists of an
oil pump that provide non-pulsating oil flow into
the main cylinder of the load unit. This flow
helps in the smooth application of load on the
specimen. The oil pump in a hydraulic power
unit is run by an electric motor and sump.
• Load Measuring Unit – This unit has a
pendulum dynamometer unit that has a small
cylinder with a piston which moves with the
non-pulsating oil flow. The pendulum is
connected to the piston by pivot lever. The pivot
deflects based on the load applied to the
specimen. This deflection is converted to the
load pointer and displays as the load on the dial.
The range of load application can be adjusted by
means of a knob in the load measuring unit (0-
100 kN; 0-250 kN; 0-500 kN and 0-1000kN).
The accuracy of measuring unit controls the
overall accuracy of the machine.
• Control Devices – It can be electric or
hydraulic. Electric control devices make use of
switches to move the crossheads and switch
on/off the unit. A hydraulic control device
Components of Universal Testing Machine consists of two valves, Right Control Valve and
Left Control Valve or Release Valve. A right
Two main parts of UTM: control valve is used to apply load on the
specimen. The left control valve is used to
• Loading Unit
release the load application.
• Control Unit
LOADING UNIT
- Where the test specimen takes place and
the load that must be exerted to the
material.
- Consists of following components:
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 Construction Materials and Testing
Functions of Universal Testing Machine
To test the mechanical properties of materials is
the main function of UTM. The following are some
standard tests performed by UTM:
1. Tensile Test – Determine the force needed to
pull the specimen apart and along with how much the
material stretches before it breaks.
Procedure: Clamp a single piece of anything (re-bar) on
each end and pull it apart until it breaks. This measures
how strong it is (tensile strength) how stretchy it is
(elongation), and how stiff it is (tensile modulus).

4. Peel Test – This test pulls apart two materials

that have been bonded together.
Procedure: One clamp holds one material, and the other
clamp holds the other materials. Then you tear them
apart for a few inches.

2. Compression Test – This is opposite of

tensile test where you compress an object between two
level plates until a certain load or distance has been
reached or the product breaks. The compressive
strength of a material is calculated as the stress
required to rupture the specimen or deform the
specimen to a given percentage of its height.

3. Bending Stress – This is where you support a

length of material by spanning it across two supports on
each end. There is nothing supporting the middle portion
underneath of it. Then you press down from above
directly in the middle of the span of material until the
supported material breaks or reaches a specific
distance. This test measures how strong the material in
flexure (flexural strength) and how stiff it is (flexural
modulus).

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