ROSHANE NANAYAKKARA 7022395

FLAT CIRCULAR PRESSURE PLATE

INTRODUCTION :
The aim of this Experiment was to measure the behaviour of a thin flat aluminium
circular plate with clamped edges due to a series of pressure steps (Δ p) and then to
compare these experimental readings with theoretical calculations. Two different
types of measurements were taken at a number of radial locations – vertical
deflection and strain. The experimental and theoretical deflections and stresses were
compared by plotting the values on graphs.

RESULTS AND COMPARISON OF DATA WITH EXPERIMENTAL VALUES

DEFLECTION

OBSERVATIONS

1. Experimental deflection of plate follows theoretical deflection values more

closer at higher pressure than at lower pressures.
2. The experimental deflection at Δ p = 0.2 reaches negative values where as
theoretically it should never reach values smaller than 0.
3. The values of w double when the pressure is doubled proving that w is
propotional to p.
STRAIN

OBSERVATIONS

1. Experimental values are higher for lower values than theoretical of D.

2. Max radial stress higher than tangential for both values of P
ROSHANE NANAYAKKARA 7022395

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The results from the experiment show that the experimental data closely follows the
theoretical data in most occations. The deflection of the plate when Δ p = 0.2
showed a slightly abnormal behaviour by deviating very much more than the other
graphs. It also showed that the observed deflection reached negative values at
points closer to the perimeter where the plate was clamped. The reason for this
could be that due to being clamped the plate got deflected in a negative direction
and the force due to the pressure applied was not enough to deflect it significantly as
it was very near the clamped area. This proves that maximum deflection occurs
closer to the center of the plate and not towards the edges.

The results of the stress calculations show very little devitation from the theoretical
values. However its important to note that all the values closer to the center of the
plate are slightly higher than the theoretically predicted ones. This could be because
the plates are not as strong as expected and hence experience more stress for a
given pressure.

For both the deflection and stress results the use of corrected values of pressure
used by applying a preload created an initial deflection of the plate thus making the
plate deflection more uniform and thus reduced chances of experimental error due to
odd stresses and deflections. Since the absolute values were required for our
calculations the preload values were subtracted from the values obtained from the
stresses applied.

It can be concluded from the results of the experiment that deflection of a flat plate
occurs in a parabolic manner where the maximum occurs at the center and that
there is no deflection where it is clamped. The graphs of the stresses show that
maximum stress also occurs at the center of the plate. Hence it can be seen that it is
where maximum deflection occurs that there is maximum stress.
 ROSHANE NANAYAKKARA 7022395

APPENDIX

DEFLECTION RAW DATA

W*e-2(mm)/R(mm) 95L 75L 50L 25L 0 25R 50R 75R 95R

W experimental

(Δ p =0.2) 5 12 18 24 27 23 16 8 1

W theoretical

(Δ p =0.2) 1.71 7.57 16.64 23.77 26.44 23.77 16.64 7.57 1.71

W experimental

(Δ p =0.4) 3 15 31 44 50 46 33 14 3

W theoretical

(Δ p =0.4) 3.41 15.14 33.28 47.55 52.87 47.55 33.28 15.14 3.41

STRESS RAW DATA

97.5 50 25
Stress(MPa)/Diameter(mm Experimental Theoretical Experimental Theoretical Experimental Theoretical
)

Tangential Stress (Δ p =0.2) -5.655995 -4.218229167 3.631218 2.625333333 12.866908 9.84375

Radial Stress (Δ p =0.2) -16.427378 -15.30885417 -2.031698 -3.422666667 12.355523 -9.114583333

Tangential Stress (Δ p =0.4) -9.852428 -8.436458333 6.822568 5.250666667 24.809478 19.6875

Radial Stress (Δ p =0.4) -31.255236 -30.61770833 -4.223348 -6.845333333 24.405753 18.22916667

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

Deflection

w=P64D(a2-r2)

P = 0.2* e5 = 20000 Pa

a= 110mm = 110*e-3 m

r=50mm = 50*e-3 m
ROSHANE NANAYAKKARA 7022395

Calculation of D

D=Eh312(1-v2)

D=70e9*(3e(-3))312(1-0.32) = 173.08 Nm

Therefore

w=2000064*173.08(110e(-3)2-50e(-3)2) = 16.64e-2 mm

Stress

1.Experimental Stress

σr=E1-v2(εr+v.εt) ----------------- 1

σt=E1-v2(εt+v.εr)------------------ 2

Data

Δ p = 0.2* e5 = 20000 Pa

r=97.5mm = 97.5*e-3 m

E= 70GPa , v = 0.3

εr= -210.5

εt= -10.4

h = 3mm

Apply to 1

σr= -16.427378 MPa

Apply to 2

σt= -5.655995 MPa

2.Theoretical Stress

σr=6.P16.h2[1+v.R2-3+v.r2]----------------3

σt=6.P16.h2[1+v.R2-1+3.v.r2]-------------4

Apply to 3

σr= -15.30885417 MPa

Apply to 4

σt= -4.218229167 MPa