Experiment No.

04

4. Title

To determine Stress in case of Cantilever Beam & Tension Bar using

FL-100 Strain Gauge Training System
4.1- Introduction
Cantilever Beam
A cantilever beam is a beam which is fixed from one end and free from other end where load
is applied. The beam carries the load to the support where it is forced against by a moment and
shear stress.

Figure 4-1 Cantilever beam

Bending Moment
A bending moment is the reaction induced in a structural element when an external force or
moment is applied to the element causing the element to bend. The most common or simplest
structural element subjected to bending moments is the beam.
It is measured as force applied on the body multiply by the distance. It consists in a structural
element where a torque or moment is applied to the element so that element bends. Moment is
given by;
M=FxL
Where,
M → Moment
F → Load perpendicular to the beam
L → Length of beam from loading point to fix end
Section Modulus
Section modulus is a geometric property for a given cross-
section used in the design of beams or flexural members.
Other geometric properties used in design include area for
tension and shear, radius for compression, and moment of
inertia for stiffness. Any relationship between these
properties is highly dependent on the shape.
For rectangular cross-sectional area; Figure 4-2: Section Modulus

Wy = ( b X h2 ) / 6
 Where,
Wy → Section Modulus (m3)
Stress
It is internal resistance applied by the specimen against the external load or pressure. It is also
defined as force per unit area i.e.
σ=F/A
Where,
σ → Stress (N/ m2 or Pa)
F → Force or load (N)
A → Area (m2)
Hook’s Law
It states that “With in the elastic limit stress is directly proportional to strain i.e.
σ α ε
σ=Eε
Where,
σ → Stress (N/ m2 or Pa)
E → Modulus of elasticity (N/ m2)
Ε → Strain
Strain Gauge
A Strain gauge (sometimes refered to as a Strain gage)
is a sensor whose resistance varies with applied force; It
converts force, pressure, tension, weight, etc., into a
change in electrical resistance which can then be
measured. 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, and
strain is defined as the displacement and deformation that Figure 4-3 Strain Gauge
occur.
Gauge Factor
Gauge factor (GF) or strain factor of a strain gauge is the ratio of relative change in electrical
resistance R, to the mechanical strain ε. The gauge factor is defined as
GF or k = (ΔR/R) / ΔL/L = (ΔR/R) / ε
Where,
GF or k → Gauge Factor
ΔR → Change in strain gauge resistance
R → Unstrained resistance of strain gauge
 ΔL → Absolute change in length
L → Original length
ε → Strain
Wheatstone bridge
The Wheatstone bridge circuit is nothing more than two
simple series-parallel arrangements of resistances connected
between a voltage supply terminal and ground producing
zero voltage difference between the two parallel branches
when balanced. A Wheatstone bridge circuit has two input
terminals and two output terminals consisting of four
resistors configured in a diamond-like arrangement as
shown. This is typical of how the Wheatstone bridge is
drawn. Figure 4-4 Wheatstone Bridge

Tension or Compression
Tension or compression is a simplest form of loading. Homogeneous stress forms in tensile
specimen. The stresses at the surface are of precisely the same magnitude as the internal stresses
and can be measured using strain gauge.
Tensile Stress
Tensile stresses are calculated from tensile force and area as:
σ=F/A
where,
σ → Stress (N/ m2 or Pa)
F → Force or load (N)
A → Area (m2)
According to Hook’s law:
σ=Eε
where,
σ → Stress (N/ m2 or Pa)
E → Modulus of elasticity (N/ m2)
ε → Strain

For experimental determination of tensile stress two strain gauges each on the front and back
of the specimen are fitted, one along the longitudinal direction and other along the transverse
direction.This arrangement increases the sensitivity of strain gauge.
The sensitivity or gauge factor “ k ” enables the strain “ ε ” to be calculated for full bridge as
follows:
ε= [4 / 2 ( 1 + µ )] X [1 / k] X [ UA / UE ]
 Where,

µ → Poisson Ratio
k → Gauge Factor
4.2- Apparatus

4.3- Procedure

Figure 4-5 Strain Gauge Training System

4.4- Observations & Calculations (for Cantilever Beam)

Bending Section Amplificatio Strai Deviation

Weight Stress Stress
Moment Modulus n Gain n /Error

Sr.
F Mb Wy σth UA/UE σexp
#
ε N/mm
%
N N-mm mm3 N/mm2 mV/V
2

01 1

02 2

03 3

04 4

05 5

Term Symbol Formula Value

Bending Moment Mb F X L

Section Modulus Wy ( b X h2 ) / 6
 Stress σth Mb / Wy

Modulus of Elasticity E 2.1 X 105

N/mm2

Gauge Factor k 2.05

Strain ε ( 1 / k ) X ( UA / UE )

Stress σexp σ=Eε

4.5- Observations & Calculations (for Tension Bar)

Amplification Deviation
Weight Area Stress Strain Stress
Gain
/Error
Sr. # σth UA/UE σexp
F A
ε %
N mm2 N/mm2 mV/V N/mm2

01 5
02 10
03 15
04 20
05 25
06 30
07 35
08 40

Term Symbol Formula Value

Area A bXh

Stress σth F/A

Poisson Ration µ 0.305

Modulus of Elasticity E 19100 N / mm2

Gauge Factor k 2.05

Strain ε [4 / 2 ( 1 + µ )] X [1 / k] X [ UA /
UE ]

Stress σexp σ=Eε

4.6- Graphs

Load vs UA/UE

Stress vs Strain
4.7- Conclusion
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