MCD Thin Cylinder Unit

The Thin Cylinder Unit, "MCD", has been developed to enable the student to verify various analytical formulae with actual measured results. Strain gauges mounted in various positions and orientations on the cylinder provide an opportunity for students to interpret the strains and stresses for a biaxial stress system.

Means are provided in the unit to relieve the cylinder of all longitudinal stress, so that Poisson's Ratio and Young's Modulus for the cylinder material may be accurately determined.

The Thin Cylinder Unit is supplied with a hand operated oil pump.

There is a piston located axially in the thin wall cylinder. It is drilled to suit a pressure gauge and a high pressure resistant flexible rubber hose that connects the hand operated pump to the unit. Besides, this piston has an in-built pressure relief valve and oil from the relief valve returns to the pump reservoir by means of a flexible tube.

The travel outwards is limited by caps.

The cylinder unit, which rests on the four pins, is located axially and supported on a frame by fixed stop and adjustable stop. When the adjustable stop is screwed out, the pressurized oil in the cylinder forces the piston against the caps. When the stop is screwed in, it forces the piston away from the caps and the axial load is taken on the frame, thus relieving the cylinder of all longitudinal stress. Pure axial load transmission from cylinder to frame is ensured by the hardened steel balls located at each end of the cylinder.

Six active strain gauges are attached to the cylinder to record strains generated.