Strain Gauge Lab Report

Strain Gauge Transducer

Damilola Ayo-Ariyo

6122467

Demonstrator: Dr. Szarbo

SMOR: Dr. Tina Lekakou

Work carried out on: 13/03/12

Report Completed: 10/04/12

School of Engineering: FEPS

Summary

The theoretical concepts of Hooke’s law, torsion and stress deformation studied in solid mechanics were verified through experiments performed. The experiment also illustrates how four strain gauges can be used in forming a Wheatstone bridge as well as the significance of gauge positions within the bridge. From results later shown, it is seen that the load applied and the measured strain behave in a linear manner; as such, thus confirming the laws and concepts in question.

Contents

1. Introduction pg. 3

2. Theory pg. 3-6

3. Experimental Methods pg. 6-7

4. Results pg. 7-8

5. Discussion pg. 9

6. Conclusion pg. 10

7. References pg. 10-11

8. Tables pg. 12

9. Figures pg. 12

1. Introduction

Strain gauges are one of the most useful tools of experimental stress analysis (1). They consist of a grid which is essentially unidirectional, usually manufactured from foil, attached to a flexible backing which is itself to a component as shown in figure 1. When load is applied to the material, the resistance of the conducting element will change, and this forms the backbone of all strain gauges.
As shown in the below figure, the long wires widen with compression and narrow with tension, hence, the change in diameter