STRAIN GAUGES

Stress and Strain

When external forces are applied to a stationary object, stress and strain are the result Stress is defined as the object's internal resisting forces Strain is defined as the displacement and deformation that occur.

What is a Strain Gauge

A Strain gauge is a sensor whose resistance varies with applied force Strain gauges are used for the measurement of strain Strain" consists of tensile and compressive strain, distinguished by a positive or negative sign Strain gauges can be used to pick up expansion as well as contraction

TYPES OF STRAIN GAUGES

MECHANICAL OPTICAL PNEUMATIC ACOUSTICAL

ELECTRICAL

MECHANICAL STRAIN GAUGES: The mechanical devices are generally known as extensometer and are used to measure strain under static or gradually varying loading condition. PRINCIPLE:-

Extensometer is usually provided with two knife edges. They are clamped firmly in contact with the test component at a specific distance. When the test component is strained, the two knife edge undergoes a small relative displacement. This displacement is amplified through a mechanical linkage and magnified displacement or strain is displayed on a calibrated scale.

Demountable Mechanical Strain Gauge

Different types of Mechanical strain Gauge:a) Berry strain gauge

Lever arm and dial gauge. Measure a strain down to 10microstrain over a 50mm gauge length.

B) Johansson Extensometer Torsion tape stretched between knife edges. Half end is twisted in one direction, while other half in other direction. Measure a strain down to 5microstrain over a gauge length of 50mm.

c) Huggenberger Extensometer
Sets of levers are been used in this to magnify the displacement. Formula for measurement = L1L2/a1a2
Ratio 300-2000 Gauge length range 6.5 to 100 mm

Sensitivity as high as 10microstrain. Suitability: - Where large height does not pose problems of mounting.

d) Scratch Gauge

Scratch Gauge

 Scratch gauge: Minimum strain that a scratch gauge can sense is about 100microstrain. Suitability: -

compact in size, weight =30g, attached to almost any surface with Clamps, screws or adhesive bonding.

2) Optical Gauges:Mechanical-Optical Gauges:Combination of mechanical and optical levers is used to amplify the relative displacement between knife edges.

Tuckermans Optical Gauge: Auto-collimator is used which carries a source of a parallel beam of light and an Optical system to measure the deflection of the reflected ray. Lozenge functions as movable knife edge. In this system, any relative motion between the component and the autocollimator will not affect the measurement. Sensitivity is 2microstrain. Available in wide range starting from 6mm. It can reliably measure both static and dynamic strains

Optical strain Gauge

Advantage: Reduced wiring as compared to electrical strain resistance. Light weight as compared to others. Insensitivity to electromagnetic interference.

Photo elastic strain Gauges: Components- a strip of plastic with reflection backing with Frozen-in fringes pattern. Polaroid/Quarter sheet. Graduated scale is there for measurement. Sensitivity- 50microstrain.

Pneumatic strain Gauge

 Pneumatic Strain Gauges: Magnification upto 100000 and gauge lengths as small as 1mm are possible to achieve in these gauges. They are sensitive, robust and reliable. Suitable for both static and dynamic strain measurements.

Acoustic Strain Gauge

Acoustic strain Gauge

Principle
It consist of Steel Wire tensioned between two predefined supports Variation of distance alter the natural frequency with change in strain. An Electro magnet adjacent to wire set the oscillation Wire movement will generate the electrical signal Calibration of screw senses a Strain

Acoustic Strain Gauges:-

Frequency of vibration in test gauge is measured by comparing it with fundamental natural frequency of the wire.

Sensitivity:- 0.5microstrain Advantages: - Long-term reliability. High accuracy. Facility for remote measurement. Chiefly used at: - Reinforced Concrete structure, dams, steel structure.

Electrical Gauges
INDUCTANCE GAUGES
CAPACITANCE GAUGES ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE GAUGES

Inductance Strain Gauge

a) Inductance Strain Gauge: In this Linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) used. Two coils Primary and Secondary are used is attached to one edge and movable magnetic core is connected to the other. Movement of the core in one direction away from the null position produces an output alternating voltage proportional to the displacement from the centre Suitability used over a wide range of temperature below 0 to elevated temperature. Sensitivity range 0.02 to 0.15 V/mm displacement per volt of excitation applied to the primary coil. Limitation magnetic fields, size and mass

Capacitance strain Gauge

Capacitance Strain Gauges: Capacitance changes occur due to axial sliding of an outer cylinder relative to two concentric inner cylinders. Temperature compensation is achieved by using rod. Function satisfactorily upto 800 C. Sensitivity 1microstrain.

Foil strain gauge

 The strain gauge consists of an insulating flexible backing which supports a metallic foil pattern. The gauge is attached to the object by a suitable adhesive. As the object is deformed, the foil is deformed, causing its electrical resistance to change. Foil type strain gauges having a zigzag conductor made out of an etched foil Very widely used as bonded strain gauges This resistance change, usually measured using a Wheatstone bridge, is related to the strain by the quantity known as the gauge factor.

Wheatstone Bridge
A Wheatstone Bridge is an electrical circuit.
Used in a load cell to measure an overall change in resistance. Increases sensitivity and reduces the affects of temperature.
R1 + VEX R2 V0 R3 R4

Wheatstone Bridge
R1 + VEX R2 V0 R4

R3

Construction of bonded-wire-type strain gage

Wide range of strain gauges

Experimental Tests

Typical strain gauges types

Two-axis strain gauge

120 degree rosette

45 degree rosette

45 degree stacked rosette

membrane rosette

Adhesives

Cyano-acrylate Z70

Methacrylate mixture X60

Epoxy resin X280

Protective coatings
It is recommended that strain gauges be protect against external effects (such as humidity, water, oil, mechanical influences) To protect the polished metal of our application area against rust Polyurethane paint Nitrile rubber Silicon Rubber Permanently plastic putty

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