Instrumentation & Measurement (ME342)

Chapter 13: Strain Gauges

Dr. Hani Muhsen

1
Strain Gauges

• Strain is a force tending to pull or stretch something to an extreme or

damaging degree.

• It is important to measure static and dynamic strain in structures to

assess load bearing capability and fatigue life.

• Applied force deforms the structure. Strain gauges attached to the

structure convert the deformation to an electrical signal.

• Strain gauges are also an important sensing element in transducers

such as accelerometers and pressure sensors.

2
Definitions

Stress is a pressure or tension exerted on a material object.

3
 Resistive Strain Gauge

• Measures force, strain, pressure, etc

• Usually experimental as a load cell, but can be used in service

• Conductor which changes dimension with strain

• Dimension change alters resistance

• Adhered to mechanical element such that force applied is transferred to the

strain gauge

• Start from the mechanical stress/strain equations for elastic conditions (E is

Young’s modulus of material, L is original length before force applied)

• As conductor is stretched or compressed, resistance changes since:

4
Strain Gauge Example

5
Types of Strain Gauge

6
Wire strain gauges

7
Bridge Techniques

8
Strain Gauge Bridge Techniques

9
Strain Gauge Bridge Techniques

10
Separation of strain components

11
Bending strains

12
Axial strains

13
Compensated Axial strains

14
Full Bridge Circuit

15