W-12 Developing a Kit for Experiential Understanding of Elastic and Plastic Properties of Materials in Class

Abstract

Elastic and plastic properties of various materials, generally measured by dedicated testing machines, constitute an important area of engineering education. It is therefore desirable that students understand this topic, not only numerically, but also experientially. Classic research has shown that the ratio of Young’s modulus and yield strength relates to so called springback phenomena in long and thin objects. This topic is the basis for the development of a kit for classroom activities, including different metal wires and bending templates, a card and two arbores. Students bend wires by hand, using the templates, and use individual moments applied to the wires to investigate springback. In this paper, the result of a collaboration involving experimental equipment design, engineering educators and software developers is described. It outlines the theoretical background, experimental procedure and equipment needed as well as how to compare lab results to data in visual Ashby charts for increased understanding.