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GATE Exam » GATE Study Materials » Mechanical Engineering » Poisson’s Ratio
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Poisson’s Ratio

What is Poisson’s ratio? Define Poisson’s ratio and give Poisson’s ratio formula? Learn about why Poisson’s ratio is null for a material.

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Poisson’s ratio is an important specification in mechanical engineering and material science. During force application towards a bar, the Poisson’s ratio deforms either elongate or reduces in the longitudinal (axial) direction. Simultaneously a distortion is seen in the horizontal direction also.

Tensile distortion is positive besides compressive distortion is observed as negative. The Poisson’s ratio refers to the negative sign of the transverse tension ratio towards axial strain. Hence materials contain a positive proportion.  Furthermore, other names of Poisson’s ratio are Poisson ratio and Poisson coefficient, which is usually denoted by the small letter ‘nu’ of the Greek series.  

 

gate1

Define Poisson’s ratio

It is considered the transverse and lateral strain (relative construction) from normal value to implemented pressure to the axial strain into the applied load direction. 

 

Poisson’s Ratio can be represented as

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Here

μ = Poisson’s ratio

εT = transverse strain 

εL= longitudinal strain

‘Strain’ is considered as “deformation of a substance as a result of stress”.

Longitudinal (or axial) strain can be expressed as

L = dl / L1                         (2)

Where

L = longitudinal or axial strain 

dl = change in length (m, ft)

L1 = initial length (m, ft)

Contraction or diminution strain can be represented as

T = dr / r                         (3)

Where

 T= transverse, lateral or radial strain (dimensionless – or m/m, ft/ft)

dr = change in radius (m, ft)

r = initial radius (m, ft)

The effective formations to fracture hydraulically have the minimum Poisson’s ratios. However, Poisson’s ratio could be calculated from a fundamental sample. A basic sample is considered for the experimental purpose and extensive force is used.  

(Strain in x- and y-directions) and Eq.4 is used to calculate Poisson’s ratio.

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Poisson’s ratio –why generally positive

Practically all general materials, for example, the rubber band become smaller into the division when the band is stretched. Thereby, in the spectrum aspect is that major materials resist any change in the capacity as calculated by the K (bulk modulus) greater than the materials resist any variety in shape as estimated by the G (shear modulus).

As per the structural view, as interatomic bonds restructure with deformation, thereby Poisson’s ratio commonly remains positive. In auxetic materials, the Poisson’s ratio is usually negative. 

Poisson’s Ratio Units

Poisson Ratio is considered as the ratio of transverse stress and longitudinal stress. The change happens at the material’s linear dimension. Hence, a unit of change of linear dimension is the same as the initial unreformed dimension. So the Poisson’s Ratio holds no units in the CGS system or SI. 

Poisson’s ratio: anisotropy systems

Anisotropy refers to the effectiveness of exhibiting valuables with multiple values when determined along axes (longitudes or latitudes) in separate directions. In anisotropic materials comprising crystals, fibrous mixture, honeycomb, physical attributes involving Poisson’s ratio and coefficient of elasticity depend upon direction. Poisson’s ratio comprises positive and negative signs of inconsistent massive magnitude within anisotropic solids

The mutual relationship between Poisson’s ratio (μ),  Bulk modulus (K), and Young’s modulus (E) is,

E = 3K ( 1-2μ)

Define, Poisson’s Ratio is Null for a material

Poisson’s ratio reaching zero means the object does not deform laterally nor axially. This resulted in a value of zero and cork is such an object, which holds almost zero value and presents no deformation under tension. Because of that cork has been used for sealing the bottle as it will not change under any stress and will protect the material inside the bottle. 

List of some material and their Poisson’s Ratio

Materials

Poisson’s Ratio

Stainless Steel

0.30-0.31

Cast Iron

0.21-0.26

Sand

0.20-0.455

Rubber

0.4999

Steel

0.27-0.30

Gold

0.42-0.44

Saturated clay

0.40-0.49

Conclusion

This concluded that Poisson’s ratio is defined as the ratio between two strains that are lateral and longitudinal within the elastic limit. It is also demonstrated that when a solid is weighted within an elastic limit the ratio provides a constant value. The Poisson’s ratio of a stable and linear substance should be within -1.0 and +0.5. Most of the substances possess values starting within 0.0 and 0.5. The Poisson’s ratio is convenient to measure the rate of deformation under certain stress. However, when Poisson’s ratio is positive that is for tactile deformation and the negative value of Poisson’s ratio represents the compressive deformation. 

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the GATE Examination Preparation.

Does temperature influence Poisson's Ratio?

Ans.Modification of temperature often creates a variation in a solid form. Often this modification causes variation in the elastic...Read full

What is a high Poisson ratio?

Ans. An increased Poisson’s ratio represents that the s...Read full

What does a Poisson ratio of 0.5 mean?

Ans. The Poisson’s ratio of 0.5 indicates that the volume of the substance or material will remain con...Read full

Ans.Modification of temperature often creates a variation in a solid form. Often this modification causes variation in the elasticity of the solid. Variation happens in the state of the substance for instance a gelatinous or colloidal form to a rigid form. It has been supervised that the relation of Poisson’s ratio and temperature is directly proportional. Though reduced temperature resulted in declination in lateral along with the axial strain of the substance wherein higher temperature, the result is opposite of that.

Ans. An increased Poisson’s ratio represents that the substance shows an extensive elastic distortion, while susceptible to a tiny portion of tension. Meanwhile, a substance of which the Poisson’s ratio is close to zero is considered not elastically distorted nevertheless of the proportion of the strain.

Ans. The Poisson’s ratio of 0.5 indicates that the volume of the substance or material will remain constant or the same by the time of the elongation technique. Even Though the diameter is reduced, the object holds an elastomeric state.

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