What is Poisson’s Ratio? Definition, Meaning, Formula, Examples, Equation
Let’s explore Poisson’s ratio!
Let’s explore Poisson’s ratio!
What is Poisson’s Ratio along with the definition, meaning, formula, equation, examples, list, exercise, etc. are captured to have a clear concept.
In addition, we will see here the value of Poisson’s ratio of steel, aluminium, concrete, wood, etc. most widely used materials.
Let’s explore this Ratio!
Let’s understand the basics of Poisson’s ratio along with explanation, meaning & example.
In any industry, we use a lot of pipes with different materials, different kinds of beams, and other many various materials that need to be tested by stretching.
For example, the material needs to be tested its strength by stretching it.
Now, take a bar and stretch it. What are the things you observe?
Now, this elongation (Longitudinal or Axial Strain) or compression (lateral or transverse strain) is different in different materials. Now, how much strain is created or what is the relationship between these strains is necessary to describe for each material and the concept of Poisson’s Ratio comes into the picture.
Take a rubber and try to stretch along its length. You will see it is easy to stretch and length is increased and simultaneously its width is reduced.
Why does it happen? Because
Now, Poisson’s ratio relates to the relationship between these two strains.
The Poisson’s ratio is one of the main factors which is defined as the ratio of the transverse or lateral strain to that of the longitudinal or axial strain in the direction of the stretching force.
This phenomenon is called Poisson’s effect.
We will discuss mainly isometric materials here.
Hence, as per definition,
Poisson’s Ratio = (-) Transverse or lateral strain / Longitudinal or Axial strain
[Negative symbol implies that during elongation there will be a decrease of width/diameter]
Where,
Poisson’s ratio for a material 0.5 means a factor that implies that deformation happens due to the application of force on the material. Lateral deformation or lateral strain is 0.5 times the longitudinal deformation or longitudinal strain of that material.
Siméon Poisson has developed the concept and it is named Poisson ratio based on his name.
Take a cylindrical rubber piece to deduce the formula or equation of the Poisson ratio.
A force is applied on the rubber piece along the length to stretch and its original length and diameter are changed.
Consider,
Let’s see the diagram to understand Poisson’s ratio formula & equation,
Based on the definition of Poisson Ratio,
We can write,
Poisson Ratio, σ = (-) Lateral or Transverse Strain/Longitudinal or Axial Strain
Lateral or Transverse strain
= change in diameter/original diameter
= Δd/ d
= (d-do)/ d
Longitudinal or Axial Strain
= change in length/original length
= Δl/ l
= (l-lo)/ l
Hence, from the definition of Poisson’s Ratio, we write,
Poisson’s Ratio,
σ = (-)[(d-do)/ d]/[ (l-lo)/ l]
σ = – l(d-do)/d(l-lo)
This is the simple derivation of Poisson’s Ratio Formula or Equation.
Poisson Ratio, σ = Lateral or Transverse Strain/Longitudinal or Axial Strain
Now,
The unit of Poisson’s Ratio
= Unit of Lateral or Transverse Strain/Unit of Longitudinal or Axial Strain
Now,
Strain = change in dimension/original dimension.
Transverse strain = unit less
Longitudinal strain = unit less
Hence, The unit of Poisson’s Ratio
= unit less / unit less
= unit less
As Poisson’s ratio doesn’t specify any direction, it is simply a scalar quantity.
Normally, Poisson’s ratio lies in the range of -1.0 to +0.5. However, in case of anisometric materials, it can be more than 0.5 as well.
Let’s see the effect of temperature on Poisson Ratio. Consider two conditions,
In the case of the hot condition or cold condition, both lateral strain and longitudinal strain are supposed to change simultaneously. But due to the behavior of the material with respect to the temperature, it is observed that this ratio slightly decreases with temperature.
Tensile deformation means an increase in length by the original length. Here, an increase means positive.
Compressive deformation means a decrease in width by original width. Here, decrease means negative.
Hence, Poisson’s Ratio always represents = negative/positive = negative. [ -ve means here decrease in diameter during elongation]
This is applicable to all isotopic materials.
But what about the anisotropic materials? It is different. In case of anisotropic materials, the inter-atomic structure is re-arranged under tensile stress and we get a positive transverse strain. Hence, Poisson’s Ratio will be positive for these cases.
We have seen Poisson’s ratio maximum of 0.5. This value is for isotropic materials only. However, this value can be more than 1 as well for anisotropic materials like polyurethane foam.
The maximum Poisson’s ratio is for rubber and it is about 0.4999. This is for only isotropic materials only.
Poisson’s ratio for steel is 0.3 and it implies that deformation happens due to the application of force on the steel. Lateral deformation or lateral strain is 0.3 times of the longitudinal deformation or longitudinal strain of steel.
Poisson’s ratio of aluminium is 0.32 and it implies that deformation happens due to the application of force on the aluminium.
Lateral deformation or lateral strain is 0.32 times of the longitudinal deformation or longitudinal strain of aluminium.
Poisson’s ratio of concrete varies from 0.1 to 0.2 and it implies that deformation happens due to the application of force on the concrete.
Lateral deformation or lateral strain is in the range of 0.1 to 0.2 times of the longitudinal deformation or longitudinal strain of concrete.
Poisson’s ratio of wood varies from 0.2 to 0.4 and it implies that deformation happens due to the application of force on the wood.
Lateral deformation or lateral strain is in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 times of the longitudinal deformation or longitudinal strain of wood.
Poisson’s ratio of rubber is 0.4999 and it implies that deformation happens due to the application of force on the rubber.
Lateral deformation or lateral strain is 0.4999 times of the longitudinal deformation or longitudinal strain of rubber.
The poisson ratio of cork is approximately 0.0 as it doesn’t exhibit any transverse strain during its stretching.
Poisson ratio other few materials are tabulated for reference,
| Material | Poisson Ratio |
| Brass | 0.331 |
| Bronze | 0.34 |
| Carbon Steel | 0.27–0.30 |
| Cast iron | 0.21–0.26 |
| Clay | 0.30–0.45 |
| Concrete | 0.1–0.2 |
| Copper | 0.33 |
| Cork | 0.0 |
| Foam | 0.10–0.50 |
| Glass | 0.18–0.3 |
| Gold | 0.42–0.44 |
| Granite | 0.2 – 0.3 |
| Inconel | 0.27-0.38 |
| Ice | 0.33 |
| Lead | 0.431 |
| Limestone | 0.2-0.3 |
| Magnesium alloy | 0.252–0.289 |
| Marble | 0.2 – 0.3 |
| Molybdenum | 0.307 |
| Monel | 0.315 |
| Nickel | 0.31 |
| Nickel Steel | 0.291 |
| Platinum | 0.39 |
| Polystyrene | 0.34 |
| Rubber | 0.48-0.4999 |
| Sand | 0.20–0.455 |
| Silver | 0.37 |
| Stainless steel | 0.30–0.31 |
| Tin | 0.33 |
| Titanium | 0.265–0.34 |
| Tungsten | 0.28 |
| Wrought iron | 0.278 |
| Zinc | 0.331 |
We have already seen the values of the Poisson ratio for different materials. Now, how to measure this value? Let’s try to understand,
Now, calculate the transverse & longitudinal strain and divide it as per definition to get the value.
The application of this ratio is huge in many industries, a few of them are listed below,
Piping & Pipeline industries
Piping and pipelines are very common in many industries like power plants, water projects, oil & gas projects, HVAC systems, etc. and material selection is very crucial. This ratio helps to select proper materials based on the applications.
Automobile Industries
In the automobile industry, various types of metals are used and the same is selected based on the strength as well as this ratio.
Aviation Industries
There are high-strength and lightweight materials used in aviation industries and the Poisson ratio is used to select the materials.
Cork used for bottle sealing
Cork is considered as 0, and in case of cork, there is no lateral strain under axial strain. This material is used for perfect bottle sealing.
Material Strength
This ratio provides the data of material strength which helps to select the materials.
Question
When a metallic rod of 5mm diameter is subjected to a tensile force of 5 x 103 N, there will be a change in diameter by 3.5 x 10-4 cm.
Calculate the Poisson ratio. If the Young modulus of the metallic rod is 8 x 1010 N/m2.
Given Data
Metallic rod diameter = d = 5 mm = 5 x 10-3 m
Area of rod, A = πd2 = 3.14 x (5 x 10-3)2
Applied force, F = 5 x 103 N
Diameter change due to force = Δd = 3.5 x 10-4 cm = 3.5 x 10-6 m
Young modulus of the metal, Y = 8 x 1010 N/m2
Calculate
Calculate the value of Poisson Ratio.
Solution
Poisson ratio (ν) = (-)Lateral strain / Longitudinal strain
Lateral strain
= Δd /d
= 3.5 x 10-6 / 5 x 10-3
= 3.5 x 10-3/5
= 7 x 10-4
Now, to calculate the Poisson ratio, we have to get the value of longitudinal strain as well, So, how do we get this value?
Here, we have to think about the young modulus!
We all know that,
Young modulus, Y = Longitudinal stress / Longitudinal strain
Longitudinal stress
= Force/area
= F / A
= 5 x 103 / 3.14 x (5 x 10-3)2
So,
Y = Longitudinal stress / Longitudinal strain
8 x 1010 = [5 x 103 / 3.14 x (5 x 10-3)2] / Longitudinal strain
Longitudinal strain = 5 x 103 / 3.14 x (5 x 10-3)2/8 x 1010
Longitudinal strain
= 5 x 103 / 3.14 x (5 x 10-3)2 x 8 x 1010
= 5 x 103 / 3.14 x 5 x 8 x 104
= 1 / 3.14 x 8 x 10
= 0.003981
= 3.981 x 10-3 m
So, Poisson Ratio, ν
=7 x 10-4 / 3.981 x 10-3
= 1.7583 x 10-1
= 0.175 (result)
So, the value of the ratio is 0.175
To measure this ratio, the below standard is used.
Hence, we have got a basic idea about Poisson Ratio along with the definition, meaning, formula, examples, a small exercise, etc. Any doubt, please let us know. Happy reading!
