Development of a novel testing concept for combined characterisation of tensile and compressive properties

Abstract

A novel material testing concept is developed in order to provide tensile and compressive properties within a single mechanical test. A new specimen geometry is designed for testing in a universal testing machine. Under tensile load, both a homogeneous tensile stress condition as well as a homogeneous compressive stress condition occur in the specimen. Measurements accompanying the experimental test with digital image correlation provide tensile and compressive Poisson’s ratio as well as tensile modulus. These properties are input parameters for subsequent finite element simulations. The compressive modulus is determined by iteratively adjusting finite element simulations in order to couple experimental and simulated results. For validating the concept, experimental tests are carried out on polyoxymethylene. While the tensile Poisson’s ratio of the new concept shows the best agreement with the reference value, the compressive modulus is approximately 15% higher. Further work should focus on an appropriate material model in order to reduce the deviation.