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Center deflection of minute glass diaphragms under uniform pressure

Center deflections of minute glass diaphragms, as measured with a microscope and an interferometer, are compared with predicted deflections

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Abstract

A new experimental technique has been applied to measure the center deflection of minute glass diaphragms under uniform pressure. The technique employs a microscope with a monochromatic-light source, an interferometer, and a U-tube mercury vacuum system. The diaphragms (0.0005-in. thick) are from 20 to 30 times thinner than the plates tested by Way4 and McPherson5. In addition, the diaphragms are glued at the edges as opposed to clamped, and they are glass as opposed to metal.

Pressure-deflection data are compared with accepted deflection solutions for three ideal edge conditions to show that the solutions are applicable for predicting the center deflection provided the proper edge condition is assumed.

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Abbreviations

P :

pressure, psi

a :

radius of unsupported portion of diaphragm

E :

modulus of elasticity

h :

diaphragm thickness

ν:

Poisson's ratio

(ωo):

center deflection

L :

pressure in mm Hg

N :

number of fringes

λ:

wavelength

References

  1. Prescott, J., Applied Elasticity, Longmans Green & Co. (1924). Reprint by Dover Publications, Inc., 462–466 (1961).

  2. Timoshenko, S., Vibration Problems in Engineering, D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., 319 (1928).

  3. Roark, Raymond J., Formulas for Stress and Strain, McGraw-Hill, 4th edition (1965).

  4. Way, S., “Bending of Circular Plates with Large Deffection,”Trans. ASME,56 (8),627–636 (1934).

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  5. McPherson, A. E., Ramberg, W. and Levy, S., “Normal-Pressure Tests of Circular Plates with Clamped Edges,” National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, Report No. 744, 269–285 (1942).

  6. Waters, E. O., Discussion in Way, S., “Bending of Circular Plates with Large Deflection,”Trans. ASME,56 (8),627–636 (1934).

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  7. Tolansky, Multiple-Beam Interferometry of Surfaces and Films, Oxford Clarendon Press (1948).

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Author notes

  1. D. Wiedemeier

    Present address: United States Air Force Academy, 80840, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, 98195, Seattle, Wash.

    C. J. Sandwith (Assistant Professor)

Authors
  1. C. J. Sandwith
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  2. D. Wiedemeier
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Sandwith, C.J., Wiedemeier, D. Center deflection of minute glass diaphragms under uniform pressure. Experimental Mechanics 12, 466–470 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02328817

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02328817

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