The Application of a Digital Computer to Mechanical Testing

Abstract

A digital computer is being used to record raw data and to provide automatic data calculations for mechanical tests. The computer which is connected through an analog-digital converter to a universal testing machine and to a torsion tester, stores the raw loadstrain data, converts it to stress-strain data, and calculates any of the mechanical properties desired from the test. The computer can also provice a printout and a paper tape, both of which contain the stress-strain data points and the calculated data. In addition, the loadstrain data that are normally obtained from the test machine are still available. An oscilloscope display is obtained as the data are being recorded.

Tests which are presently being performed using the computer are: tensile, compression, pin bearing, double shear and torsion. Data which are being recorded include: ultimate strength, offset yield strength, elastic and shear moduli, energy under the stress-strain curve, and a mathematical expression for the stress-strain curve. In addition to the mechanical load-strain curve provided by the test machine, the computer can provide a stressstrain curve and a listing of stress-strain data points.