Experiment for the study of plastic theory and limit state design in portal frames. Mounts on the Structures platform and connects to the Structures automatic data acquisition unit and software (VDAS® Onboard).
Key Features
• One of a range of experiment modules that teach structures principles
• Fits to the Structures platform for ergonomic use and space-saving storage
• Vertical and horizontal load and measurement for increased experiment range
• Includes a set of specimen portals for ‘out of the box’ experiments
• Additional pack of specimen portals available
• Industrial, high-resolution digital deformation indicators for accurate results
• Includes Vernier caliper for cross-section measurement
• Supplied with a storage tray to keep smaller items safe
• Works with user-friendly software (VDAS®)
Description
One of a range of experiment modules that fifi t to the Structures platform (STS1, available separately), this product helps students to understand the nature of plastic deformation in hot-rolled mild steel portal frames that can undergo large plastic deformations. Similar frames at real-scale form parts of buildings with large internal spaces such as factories or warehouses.
Students fit the specimen portal frame to fifi xing blocks that simulate fifi xed foundations, and apply loads. Load cells measure the applied forces and precision indicators measure the portal deformation. Each load cell applies and measures the load through cables at 90 degrees to the portal. This preserves the load direction as the portal deforms.
Students apply either vertical, horizontal or combined loads to the portal, forcing it to bend through the elastic region and into the plastic region where it deforms permanently, experiencing ‘plastic collapse’ and the formation of ‘plastic hinges’. This allows students to appreciate the ratio between yield moment and the fully plastic moment (shape or form factor), showing how this ratio provides an additional safety factor. It explains how a building may fail, but still withstand loads to allow people to safely leave before complete collapse. It also shows the interaction between the vertical and horizontal loads and the production of an interaction diagram to predict the failure mode. Students use textbook equations to predict the results, comparing them to measured results. This helps confifi rm the reliability of the textbook equations and the accuracy of the experiment results.
Note: The experiments are destructive tests, so you use each portal only once. This product includes a set of additional specimen portals to allow experiments ‘out of the box’, and a Vernier caliper for accurate measurement of cross-section.
The deformation indicators have their own displays, but they can connect (with the load cells) to the USB interface hub of the Structures platform for computer display and data acquisition (VDAS® Onboard).
Standard Features
• Supplied with comprehensive user guide
• Five-year warranty
• Made in accordance with the latest European Union directives
• ISO9001 certififi ed manufacturer
Learning outcomes
• Elastic bending to plastic deformation of portal frames
• Collapse load and the formation of plastic ‘hinges’
• Yield stress
• Deformation due to single and combined loads on a portal frame
• Generating an interaction diagram
• Shape of a collapsed portal due to hinge formation
• Introduction to limit state design
• Shape or form factor and the additional factor of safety it provides
Essential Ancillary
• Structures Platform (STS1)
Optional Ancillary
• Pack of 12 specimen portals (STS16a)
