Attention: Safety Recall of Vernier Go Direct Charge Station. Click to learn more.

Vernier Structures & Materials Tester

Vernier Structures & Materials Tester

Vernier Structures & Materials Tester

This product has been replaced by the Go Direct® Structures & Materials Tester

Evaluate the strength of model bridges and engineered structures by measuring the applied load with the Vernier Structures & Materials Tester. Utilizing both load and displacement sensors allows students to evaluate properties of materials (stress and strain).

ORDER CODE: VSMT Categories ,

Out of stock

The Vernier Structures & Materials Tester (VSMT) is the perfect device for all project-based STEM and engineering classrooms. Use the Tester, along with the engineering design method, to design, build, and test structures, conduct bridge competitions, and investigate and analyze beam designs and material properties.

Exact Force and Displacement for Bends and Breaks

The Tester is equipped with a load cell (measuring up to 1000 N) and a displacement sensor (0.1 mm resolution). Using both sensors allows you to record maximum breaking loads, as well as load/displacement characteristics to allow students to evaluate stress and strain.

Use Logger Pro video analysis in conjunction with your sensor measurements to see how and when things bend and break.

Accurate Positioning for Center and Off-Center Loading

The top support beams of the Tester are designed to easily slide and lock into position. Ruled markings located on the Tester allow you to accurately position the support beams for center or off-center loading.

Easy Loading for Different Sizes and Shapes

The VSMT ships with a well-outfitted VSMT Tackle Kit that includes a 50 x 50 x 6 mm and a 50 x 80 x 6 mm aluminum load plate, chain, rods, U-bolts, and other accessories to make it quick and easy to load bridges, materials, beams, and structures of varying sizes and shapes.

Truss Tester Accessory (Sold Separately)

Bridge building contests are an excellent platform for teaching engineering principles. A single bridge, however, can take a lot of time and material to complete. The Truss Tester Accessory allows students to focus on the design of a single truss, so the opportunity to learn from their efforts and engage in the engineering design process is emphasized, without spending an extraordinary amount of time building several bridges.

Free Bridge Competition Software

Vernier Bridge Competition Software is a free standalone application for Windows® and macOS® computers used for bridge (or other structure) competitions conducted with the Vernier Structures & Materials Tester. The software provides a visual representation of the force acting on the structure, as well as a comparison to previously tested structures.

 

Vernier Structures & Materials Tester - Testing Beams - Tech Tips with Vernier
Vernier Structures Materials Tester - Testing Beams - Tech Tips (12:43)
Vernier Structures & Materials Tester - Testing Bridges - Tech Tips with Vernier
Vernier Structures Materials Tester - Testing Bridges - Tech Tips (5:25)

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 45 cm x 50 cm x 20 cm
  • Weight: 22.15 lbs

Force Sensor

  • Operational Range: 0 to 1,000 N
  • Safety Range (maximum force without damage done to sensor): 0 to 1,300 N
  • Resolution: 1 N

Displacement Sensor

  • Range: 0 to 7 cm
  • Resolution: 0.1 mm

Experiments

Beam Inquiry Activities

Students can explore properties of materials and beam construction. These experiments are designed around the deflection of a beam supported on both ends and loaded by a downward force at its center.

Preview and/or edit the experiments for your curriculum by downloading the experiments below. The Student download includes objectives, materials, procedures, and analysis. The Instructor download includes notes, sample results and graphs, and answers.

EXPERIMENT DOWNLOAD
1 Deflection of a Rectangular, Center-Loaded Beam Student Instructor
2 Beam Shape and Deflection Student Instructor
3 Beam Modulus of Elasticity Student Instructor
4 Study of Trusses Student Instructor
5 Bridge Competition Student Instructor
6 Test Methods for Chalk Student Instructor

Requirements

Choose a platform below to see its compatibility requirements.

LabQuest
InterfaceLabQuest App
LabQuest 3Full support
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support
LabQuest (discontinued)Full support
Computers
Software
InterfaceGraphical AnalysisLogger ProLogger Lite
LabQuest MiniPartial support 1Full supportFull support 2
LabQuest 3Full support 1 3Full supportIncompatible 2
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 1 3Full supportFull support 2
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Partial support 1 4Full supportFull support 2 4
Go!LinkPartial support 1Partial support 1Partial support 1
LabQuest (discontinued)Partial support 1Full supportFull support 2
LabPro (discontinued)IncompatibleFull support 5Full support 2

Compatibility Notes

  1. This interface/software combination can only collect force data; displacement measurements are not supported.
  2. This interface/software combination auto IDs the VSMT Force sensor; displacement measurements require a Logger Lite file found at www.vernier.com/til/3621/
  3. Full support of this sensor is only available when LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 is connected to a computer or Chromebook via Wireless Data Sharing.
  4. Connect LabQuest Stream via USB. Wireless connection is not supported.
  5. Sensor does not auto-ID; manual setup is required.
Chromebook
Software
InterfaceGraphical Analysis
LabQuest MiniPartial support 1
LabQuest 3Full support 1 2
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 1 2
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Partial support 1 3
Go!LinkPartial support 1
LabQuest (discontinued)Partial support 1

Compatibility Notes

  1. This interface/software combination can only collect force data; displacement measurements are not supported.
  2. Full support of this sensor is only available when LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 is connected to a computer or Chromebook via Wireless Data Sharing.
  3. Connect LabQuest Stream via USB. Wireless connection is not supported.
iOS
Software
InterfaceGraphical AnalysisGraphical Analysis GW
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Partial support 1Partial support 1
LabQuest 3Full support 2Full support 2
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 2Full support 2

Compatibility Notes

  1. This interface/software combination can only collect force data; displacement measurements are not supported.
  2. iOS and Androidâ„¢ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.
Android
Software
InterfaceGraphical AnalysisGraphical Analysis GW
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Partial support 1Partial support 1
LabQuest 3Full support 2Full support 2
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 2Full support 2

Compatibility Notes

  1. This interface/software combination can only collect force data; displacement measurements are not supported.
  2. iOS and Androidâ„¢ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.
Arduino
Software
InterfaceArduino
Vernier Arduino® Interface ShieldFull support 1 2

Compatibility Notes

  1. You can only read the raw count/raw voltage output by this sensor. You must do the programming to convert to proper sensor units.
  2. Requires advanced programming for data collection
LabVIEW
Software
InterfaceNI LabVIEW
SensorDAQ (discontinued)Full support 1 2
Vernier myDAQ AdapterFull support 1 2
Go!LinkPartial support 3
LabQuest MiniFull support
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Full support
LabQuest 3Full support
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support
LabQuest (discontinued)Full support

Compatibility Notes

  1. Requires advanced programming for data collection
  2. You can only read the raw count/raw voltage output by this sensor. You must do the programming to convert to proper sensor units.
  3. This interface/software combination can only collect force data; displacement measurements are not supported.
Texas Instruments
Software
InterfaceEasyDataDataMateTI-84 SmartViewDataQuestTI-Nspire Software
EasyLinkPartial support 1 2IncompatiblePartial support 1 3Partial support 1Partial support 1 3
CBL 2 (discontinued)Partial support 1 4Partial support 1 4 5IncompatibleIncompatibleIncompatible
LabPro (discontinued)Partial support 1 4Partial support 1 4 5IncompatibleIncompatibleIncompatible
TI-Nspire Lab Cradle (discontinued)IncompatibleIncompatibleIncompatiblePartial support 6Partial support 6

Compatibility Notes

  1. This interface/software combination can only collect force data; displacement measurements are not supported.
  2. Use with TI-84 Plus calculators only.
  3. Requires an Easy to Go! adapter
  4. CBL 2 and LabPro interfaces cannot be used with TI-84 Plus CE calculators.
  5. DataMate cannot be used with color screen TI-84 Plus calculators; use EasyData with these calculators.
  6. Sensor does not auto-ID; manual setup is required.

What's Included

Accessories

AccessoryOrder CodePriceQuantity
Truss Tester AccessoryVSMT-TRUSS$149.00
Replacement PartOrder CodePriceQuantity
VSMT Tackle KitVSMT-TK$59.00

Support

Educational use only: Vernier products are designed for educational use. They are not appropriate for industrial, medical, or commercial applications.

SAVE/SHARE YOUR CART