EG4022 Engineering Materials
Malvern University Partnerships · UEL

Tensile Strength Testing Laboratory

Virtual Experiment · Based on BS EN ISO 6892-1 · HS2 Phase One Context · Vismay Loliyaniya — Module Lead

STANDBY

Stage 01 / 05

Specimen Preparation & Material Selection

Select material specimen — 8 engineering materials

S355 Structural Steel

Metal · Ferrous · HS2

Primary HS2 viaduct steel. Clear yield point. Excellent ductility and weldability.

Mild Steel S275

Metal · Ferrous

Classic ductile behaviour. Sharp upper and lower yield point. Cottrell atmosphere pinning.

Rail Steel 900A

Metal · Ferrous · HS2

HS2 mainline rail. High UTS ≥900 MPa. Pearlitic microstructure. Resists RCF at 360 km/h.

Aluminium 6061-T6

Metal · Non-ferrous

Lightweight, no distinct yield. Uses 0.2% proof stress. OLE masts in HS2.

Stainless Steel 316L

Metal · Ferrous · Austenitic

High corrosion resistance. Austenitic FCC structure — no DBTT. Used for fixings.

Cast Iron (Grey)

Metal · Ferrous · Brittle

Brittle. Fractures suddenly. Graphite flakes = internal notches. Low K_IC.

Copper (Annealed)

Metal · Non-ferrous

Extremely ductile. Very high elongation. Low yield strength. Excellent toughness.

HDPE Polymer

Polymer · Thermoplastic

Very low E (~1 GPa). Cold-drawing neck propagation. Demonstrates polymer behaviour.

🚄 HS2 Phase One — Material Context S355 J2+N is the primary structural steel for HS2 Phase One, used in the Colne Valley Viaduct (3.4 km), portal frames, and all primary load-bearing connections. Yield strength 355 MPa, UTS 470–630 MPa, elongation ≥22%. Specified to EN 10025-2 with Charpy impact test at −20°C (27 J min) to prevent brittle fracture in UK winter conditions.

Specimen dimensions — BS EN ISO 6892-1

Gauge Length (L₀) mm

Width (b) mm

Thickness (a) mm

Cross-sectional Area A₀ = b × a = 37.5 mm² | Standard L₀ = 5.65 × √A₀ = 34.6 mm

Specimen diagram

Pre-test checklist

Specimen dimensions measured and recorded with digital callipers (3 s.f.) Gauge length L₀ marked with centre punch marks Specimen surface inspected — no visible notches, corrosion, or surface defects Cross-sectional area A₀ calculated and recorded Material certificate reviewed — batch/heat number noted

Stage 02 / 05

Universal Testing Machine Setup

Machine configuration

Crosshead Speed

Load Cell Capacity

Data Sample Rate

Extensometer Type

Test Temperature

UTM schematic — Instron 5982 type

Machine setup checklist

Specimen aligned vertically — no lateral offset in grips Extensometer zeroed and attached at gauge marks Load cell tared to zero with grips fitted Load cell capacity checked — does not exceed specimen fracture load estimate Data acquisition system running — sample rate confirmed Safety screens closed — personnel clear of loading axis

Stage 03 / 05

Tensile Test Execution — Live Simulation

0.00

Force (kN)

0.00

Stress (MPa)

0.0000

Strain (mm/mm)

0.000

Extension (mm)

—

Yield Stress (MPa)

—

UTS (MPa)

① Elastic

② Yield

③ Plastic / Hardening

④ Necking

⑤ Fracture

Observation log

[00:00] System ready. Select material and press ▶ Start Test.

Specimen deformation — live visualisation

Stage 04 / 05

Results & Analysis

Experimental results summary

Parameter	Symbol	Measured Value	Published Value	Unit

Stress–Strain curve — final analysis

─ Elastic region ─ Yield / Plastic ─ Necking / Fracture - - 0.2% Proof offset

Derived calculations — show your working

Comparison with published values

* Published values from Callister & Rethwisch (2020) and EN 10025-2 / EN 13674-1

HS2 Phase One — engineering context

Stage 05 / 05

Laboratory Report

1. Title & Author Information

Report title (auto-generated)

Tensile Testing of [Material] — EG4022 Engineering Materials

Student name

Student ID

Module & Date

EG4022 Engineering Materials · University of East London · Malvern University Partnerships · BS EN ISO 6892-1

2. Abstract — write your own (≈ 100 words)

Summarise aim, method, key results, and conclusion

3. Introduction & Aims

Background, aims, and engineering relevance (≈ 150 words)

4. Methodology

Equipment & specimen details (auto-filled)

Procedure (write in past tense, passive voice)

5. Results

Experimental data (auto-filled from simulation)

Describe the stress–strain curve you observed

6. Discussion (≈ 300 words)

Interpret results — theory, published values, HS2 context

7. Conclusion (≈ 100 words)

8. References

Callister, W.D. & Rethwisch, D.G. (2020). Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction (10th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
BS EN ISO 6892-1:2019. Metallic materials — Tensile testing — Part 1: Method of test at room temperature. BSI.
BS EN 10025-2:2019. Hot-rolled products of structural steels — Technical delivery conditions for non-alloy structural steels. BSI.
BS EN 13674-1:2011+A1:2017. Railway applications — Track — Rail — Part 1: Vignole railway rails 46 kg/m and above. BSI.
HS2 Ltd (2023). High Speed Two — Civil Engineering Design Standard. HS2-HS2-CV-STD-000-000001.

Additional references

Lab Reference Guide

Key Formulae

σ = F / A₀
Stress = Force / Original area (MPa)

ε = ΔL / L₀
Strain = Extension / Gauge length

E = σ / ε (elastic region only)
Young's Modulus (GPa)

%EL = (Lf − L₀) / L₀ × 100
% Elongation at fracture

%RA = (A₀ − Af) / A₀ × 100
% Reduction in area

Ut = ∫σ dε ≈ ½ σy εy
Modulus of resilience (MJ/m³)

Stress–Strain Regions

① Elastic: Linear — Hooke's Law. Fully reversible. Slope = E.

② Yield point: Onset of permanent deformation. Upper → lower yield in mild steel (Cottrell atmosphere dislocation pinning).

③ Strain hardening: Dislocation multiplication. Material becomes stronger as it deforms.

④ Necking: Localised cross-section reduction begins at UTS. Engineering stress falls.

⑤ Fracture: Ductile = cup-and-cone. Brittle = flat cleavage face. Energy absorbed = area under curve.

0.2% Proof Stress

For materials without a clear yield point (aluminium alloys, stainless steel): draw a line parallel to the elastic slope but offset 0.2% strain (ε = 0.002). The intersection with the stress–strain curve is σ₀.₂.

Selected Material Reference

Select a material to see reference values.

HS2 Phase One Context

The HS2 Phase One project (London Euston to Birmingham Curzon Street, 225 km) uses a range of structural metals whose tensile properties are critical to safety. Select a material above to see its HS2 context.

Safety Notes

⚠ Always stand clear of the loading axis during testing. Fracture can release stored elastic energy. Safety screens must be closed. Eye protection mandatory. Never exceed the load cell rated capacity.

BS EN ISO 6892-1

Gauge length for proportional specimens: L₀ = 5.65√A₀. Report all values to ≥ 3 significant figures. Method A = constant strain rate. Method B = constant crosshead speed. Extensometer must remain attached through the yield region.

Standard L₀ = 5.65 × √A₀
= 5.65 × √37.5 = 34.6 mm