Abstract:
The feasibility of a thin-wire torsion stress-strain experiment with nanostrain sensitivity is demonstrated. A gauge length of 50 metres was made possible by using The Monument, London, thereby restoring it to its original purpose as a scientific instrument. A wire of 150µm diameter was studied using the load-unload method and data was recorded in the elastic regime and through the elastic-plastic transition. Analysis of this preliminary experiment suggested some necessary improvements to the equipment and methods. Progress towards definitive experiments is described together with difficulties still to be overcome.