STRAINGAGES

LABVIEW DATA AQUISITION

SE GE JUNG
ENGR 382
PROFESSOR HEUN
MARCH 11, 2015

1. Summary
The purpose of this lab was to learn techniques for reading strain gages and validate the results
with stress-strain calculations. Furthermore, the team learned how to program LabVIEW to
acquire stress and strain data.
2. Methods
Aluminum beam was given to calculate the strain and stress by using strain gages, white data
acquisition box, and LabVIEW. Aluminum beam was set up as a cantilever beam as shown in
Figure 2-1. The team was given strain gage type 1. Strain gage wires were connected
appropriately to the strain gage. After setting to a quarter-bridge circuit, gage factor was dialed
and strain gage was zeroed. Strain of the beam was tested by placing loads in compression and
tension.
Second strain gage was used. Strain wires were connected to SCC-SG01 module in the National
Instruments data acquisition system. After setting up, VI file named Strain Lab.vi was opened
to acquire data.
Finally, the team expanded on the VI programming it to display relevant inputs and outputs as
shown in Figure 3-1.
Stresses were calculated from the measured strain and uncertainty in both strain and stress were
estimated.
3. Results
The team was able to program LabVIEW that measured the strain and stress as shown in Figure
3-1. Experimental and theoretical values for strain and stress were graphed along the moment as
seen in Appendix B.
4. Conclusion

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Appendix A Equations
Stress

(A-1)

Actual Strain

(A-2)

(A-3)

Predicted Values
Strain

(A-4)

Moment

(A-5)

Inertia

(A-6)

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Appendix B Figures

Strain and Stress (Theoretical)

400
300

Strain and Stress

200
100

Tension (Strain)
Tension (Stress)

-1

-0.5

0.5

-100

Compression (Strain)
Compression (Stress)

-200
-300
-400
Moment (N-m)

Figure B-1: Strain and Stress of Theoretical Values with Respect to Moment.

Strain and Stress (Experimental)

500
400

Strain and Stress

300
200
Tension (Strain)

100

Tension (Stress)

-1

-0.5

-100

0.5

Compression (Strain)
Compression (Stress)

-200
-300
-400
Moment (N-m)

Figure B-2: Strain and Stress of Experimental Values with Respect to Moment.

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Appendix C Tables
Table C-1: Data from Strain Gage
Weight (N)
1.176
2.156
3.136
4.116
5.096

Weight (N)
1.176
2.156
3.136
4.116
5.096

Tension
Strain (m/m)
81
147
213
278
345

Stress (Pa)
5.59E+06
1.01E+07
1.47E+07
1.92E+07
2.38E+07

77
141
205
267
331

Stress (Pa)
5.31E+06
9.73E+06
1.41E+07
1.84E+07
2.28E+07

Compression
Strain (m/m)

Table C-2: Data from White Box VI

Tension
Weight
Stress
(N)
Strain (m/m) (Pa)
1.176
81.39
5615910
2.156
151.2 10432800
3.136
215.9 14897100
4.116
282.3 19478700
5.096
347.6 23984400
Compression
Weight
Stress
(N)
Strain (m/m) (Pa)
1.176
83.9
5789100
2.156
147.7 10191300
3.136
216.8 14959200
4.116
283.7 19575300
5.096
348.2 24025800

Table C-3: Experimental Data from LabVIEW

Weight
(N)
1.176

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Tension (Experimental)
Strain inducated
(m/m)
106.105

Stress
(MPa)
7.32

2.156
3.136
4.116
5.096

Weight
(N)
1.176
2.156
3.136
4.116
5.096

171.99
238.83
307.01
373.97
Compression (Experimental)
Strain inducated
(m/m)
-81.04
-147.25
-216.05
-285.35
-349

11.87
16.48
21.18
25.80

Stress
(MPa)
-5.59
-10.16
-14.91
-19.69
-24.08

Table C-4: Theoretical Data from LabVIEW

Tension (Theoretical)
Strain (Theory)
(um/m)
68.39
125.38
182.37
239.36
296.36

Weight
(N)
1.176
2.156
3.136
4.116
5.096

Moment (Nm)
0.1764
0.3234
0.4704
0.6174
0.7644

Weight
(N)
1.176
2.156
3.136
4.116
5.096

Compression (Theoretical)
Moment (NStrain (Theory)
m)
(um/m)
-0.1764
-68.39
-0.3234
-125.38
-0.4704
-182.37
-0.6174
-239.36
-0.7644
-296.36

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Stress (Theory)
(MPa)
4.72
8.65
12.58
16.52
20.45

Stress (Theory)
(MPa)
-4.72
-8.65
-12.58
-16.52
-20.45