Lab 3: Strain Gages: Application and Measurement

Dan McConnell
Abstract
In this lab our group used a strain gage to calculate forces that were applied to the
beam. he initial set up for the e!periment too" about an hour to prep the location and
secure the strain gage to the beam# which included soldering wires to the gage to record
our data. $rom our measurements and calculations we found data that included stress#
strain# deflection of the beam# and a calculated modulus of elasticit%.
Results
In the abo&e graph the e!perimental and the estimated strain are graphed against
the applied load. As the load increased# both strains almost increased linearl%.
he abo&e graph shows the comparison of e!perimental and estimated stress to
the applied load. 'ote that this graph is similar to the pre&ious. his is because the same
e(uation )though altered to find stress* was used for both graphs and the strains in the
abo&e graph were used in the calculations.
he two graphs abo&e show the percent error of the e!perimental and estimated
stress and strain. he two graphs ha&e the e!act same &alues and ne&er go o&er a percent
error of 3+.
In this graph we can see that the e!perimental deflection is a little off from the
estimated deflection. his is most li"el% due to the misplacement of the indicator under
the beam.
Summary of Results
After the initial set,up was finished# we conducted - tests of different loads and recorded
the deflection registered on the indicator and the strain indicated on the strain gage. After
collecting our raw data# I used four e(uations to calculate the rest of the data needed for
the report. Some of these e(uations included the e!perimental moment of inertia#
e!perimental modulus of elasticit%# and the estimated deflection of the cantile&er beam.
All the results were for the most part accurate e!cept for the estimated deflection# which
ma% ha&e been caused b% a human error.
Conclusions
his lab was the most interesting so far. he set up of the lab being so elaborate# reall%
made things fun because it introduced se&eral pieces of lab e(uipment to accomplish a
finished lab. .&erall I belie&e our lab was a success.
Data
Gage dist
from
mount
)in*
Indicator
dist from
mount )in*
/eight
0anger
dist
from
mount
)in*
Dist.
$rom
gage to
weight
hanger
)in*
1 23.1 24 22 5ase 2 in
0eight 6.783 in
9 : 3.669;6< psi
I)!* : 6.6627<2633 in=8

rial $orce )o>*
Deflection
)in*
Strain
)lb?in=7*

)9stimated*
)9stimated*
2 6 6 6 6 6.669;66
7 6.3383<1 6.631 6.66667- 3374.3-4117 2.229,68
3 6.-63271 6.22- 6.666638 <321.4<-<68 7.429,68
8 2.8723<1 6.237 6.666287 27368.-4734 8.269,68
1 7.423<1 6.38 6.666718 77447.<44<1 <.119,68
4 3.<6-3<1 6.161 6.6663<< 37262.6<3-7 2.6<9,63
< 2.8723<1 6.763 6.666212 27368.-4734 8.269,68
3 6.3383<1 6.683 6.666633 3374.3-4117 2.229,68
- 6 6 6 6 6.669;66
rial

)9!perimental*
+ 9rror
Stress
+ 9rror Strain
A&erage
9!perimental
Modulus of
9lasticit% )9*
)psi*
9stimated
Deflection
)in*
2 6.669;66 6 6 6 6
7 3.<69;67 7.373888323 7.373888323 28133<48.-3 6.624-423-7
3 7.179;63 7.2628467 7.2628467 2668<223.-3 6.63-313117
8 8.749;63 2.333833-33 2.333833-33 2638742<.33 6.647<81727
1 <.479;63 2.-<82243<7 2.-<82243<7 262-4463.-2 6.221142122
4 2.239;68 2.3337-2437 2.3337-2437 -<78263.337 6.24343-21<
< 8.139;63 2.<2437<382 2.<2437<382 -7<74-2.3-3 6.647<81727
3 2.289;63 2.-2<3-2<27 2.-2<3-2<27 26462237.<4 6.624-423-7
- 6.669;66 6 6 6 6