STRAIN GAUGES

Stress and Strain

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
Strain is defined as the displacement and deformation
that occur.

What is a Strain Gauge

A Strain gauge is a sensor whose resistance
varies with applied force
Strain gauges are used for the measurement of
strain
Strain" consists of tensile and compressive
strain, distinguished by a positive or negative
sign
Strain gauges can be used to pick up expansion
as well as contraction

TYPES OF STRAIN GAUGES

MECHANICAL
OPTICAL
PNEUMATIC
ACOUSTICAL
ELECTRICAL

MECHANICAL STRAIN GAUGES: The mechanical devices are generally known as extensometer
and are used to measure strain under static or gradually varying
loading condition.
PRINCIPLE:-

Extensometer is usually provided with two knife

edges.
They are clamped firmly in contact with the test
component at a specific distance.
When the test component is strained, the two
knife edge undergoes a small relative
displacement.
This displacement is amplified through a
mechanical linkage and magnified displacement
or strain is displayed on a calibrated scale.

Demountable Mechanical Strain Gauge

Different types of Mechanical strain

Gauge:a) Berry strain gauge

Lever arm and dial

gauge.
Measure a strain down
to 10microstrain over a
50mm gauge length.

B) Johansson
Extensometer

Torsion tape stretched

between knife edges.

Half end is twisted in one

direction, while other half
in other direction.

Measure a strain down to

5microstrain over a gauge
length of 50mm.

c) Huggenberger
Extensometer
Sets of levers are been used in this to
magnify the displacement.
Formula for measurement = L1L2/a1a2
Ratio

Gauge length
range

300-2000

6.5 to 100 mm

Sensitivity as high as 10microstrain.

Suitability: - Where large height does not pose
problems of mounting.

d) Scratch Gauge

Scratch Gauge

 Scratch gauge:

Minimum strain that a scratch gauge

can sense is about 100microstrain.

Suitability: -

compact in size,
weight =30g,
attached to almost any surface
with Clamps, screws or adhesive
bonding.

2) Optical Gauges:Mechanical-Optical Gauges:Combination of mechanical and optical levers is used to amplify

the relative displacement between knife edges.

Tuckermans Optical Gauge: Auto-collimator is used which

carries a source of a parallel
beam of light and an Optical
system to measure the
deflection of the reflected ray.
Lozenge functions as movable
knife edge.
In this system, any relative
motion between the component
and the auto-collimator will not
affect the measurement.
Sensitivity is 2microstrain.
Available in wide range starting
from 6mm.
It can reliably measure both
static and dynamic strains

Optical strain Gauge

Advantage: Reduced wiring as compared
to electrical strain resistance.
Light weight as compared to
others.
Insensitivity to electromagnetic
interference.

Photo elastic
strain Gauges: Components- a strip of plastic
with reflection backing with
Frozen-in fringes
pattern.
Polaroid/Quarter sheet.
Graduated scale is there for
measurement.
Sensitivity- 50microstrain.

Pneumatic strain Gauge

 Pneumatic Strain
Gauges:

Magnification upto 100000 and

gauge lengths as small as 1mm
are possible to achieve in these
gauges.

They are sensitive, robust and

reliable.

Suitable for both static and

dynamic strain measurements.

Acoustic Strain Gauge

Acoustic strain Gauge

Principle
It consist of Steel Wire tensioned between two
predefined supports
Variation of distance alter the natural frequency
with change in strain.
An Electro magnet adjacent to wire set the
oscillation
Wire movement will generate the electrical
signal
Calibration of screw senses a Strain

Acoustic Strain Gauges:-

Frequency of vibration in test gauge is measured by comparing it with fundamental

natural frequency of the wire.

Sensitivity:- 0.5microstrain
Advantages: - Long-term reliability.

High accuracy.

Facility for remote measurement.

Chiefly used at: - Reinforced Concrete structure, dams, steel structure.

Electrical Gauges
INDUCTANCE GAUGES
CAPACITANCE GAUGES
ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE GAUGES

Inductance Strain Gauge

a) Inductance Strain Gauge:

In this Linear variable differential

transformer (LVDT) used.
Two coils Primary and Secondary are
used is attached to one edge and
movable magnetic core is connected to
the other.
Movement of the core in one direction
away from the null position produces an
output alternating voltage proportional to
the displacement from the centre
Suitability used over a wide range of
temperature below 0 to elevated
temperature.
Sensitivity range 0.02 to 0.15 V/mm
displacement per volt of excitation
applied to the primary coil.
Limitation magnetic fields, size and
mass

Capacitance strain Gauge

Capacitance Strain Gauges: Capacitance changes occur due to

axial sliding of an outer cylinder
relative to two concentric inner
cylinders.
Temperature compensation is
achieved by using rod.
Function satisfactorily upto 800 C.
Sensitivity 1microstrain.

Foil strain gauge

 The strain gauge consists of an insulating flexible backing which supports

a metallic foil pattern.
The gauge is attached to the object by a suitable adhesive. As the object
is deformed, the foil is deformed, causing its electrical resistance to
change.
Foil type strain gauges having a zigzag conductor made out of an etched
foil
Very widely used as bonded strain gauges
This resistance change, usually measured using a Wheatstone bridge, is
related to the strain by the quantity known as the gauge factor.

Wheatstone Bridge
A Wheatstone Bridge
is an electrical circuit.
Used in a load cell to
measure an overall
change in resistance.
Increases sensitivity
and reduces the affects
of temperature.

R1
+

R4
V0

VEX
R2

R3

Wheatstone Bridge
R1
+

R4
V0

VEX
R2

R3

Construction of bonded-wire-type strain

gage

Wide range of strain gauges

Experimental Tests

Typical strain gauges types

Two-axis strain gauge

120 degree rosette

45 degree rosette

45 degree stacked rosette

membrane rosette

Adhesives

Cyano-acrylate Z70

Methacrylate mixture X60

Epoxy resin X280

Protective coatings
It is recommended that strain gauges be protect
against external effects (such as humidity, water,
oil, mechanical influences)
To protect the polished metal of our application
area against rust
Polyurethane paint
Nitrile rubber
Silicon Rubber
Permanently plastic putty

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