University of the highlands and islands perth college

Strain Gauge
Aircraft structural
mechanics Report and
aerothermodynamics
Collins E Mbasha 14014188

Strain Gauge
Contents
Introduction...................................................................................................................4
Experiment................................................................................................................4
Aim of the experiment...............................................................................................4
Tools and Equipments...............................................................................................4
Procedures...................................................................................................................5
Surface preparation...................................................................................................5
Installing strain gauge...............................................................................................5
Solvent degreasing................................................................................................5
Surface abrading...................................................................................................5
Layout lines...........................................................................................................6
Surface conditioning..............................................................................................6
Neutralizing............................................................................................................6
Handling................................................................................................................7
Bonding.................................................................................................................8
Soldering techniques................................................................................................9
Testing.....................................................................................................................10
Table of Values....................................................................................................10
Calculations.................................................................................................................11
Formulas:.................................................................................................................11
Bending equations...............................................................................................11
Three point loading..............................................................................................11
Solution:...................................................................................................................11
Table of values........................................................................................................12
Graph......................................................................................................................13
Discussion...............................................................................................................13
Application of strain gauge.........................................................................................13
Conclusion..................................................................................................................15
References.................................................................................................................16

Figure 1: Strain gauge. ECircuit centre........................................................................4

Figure 2: Application of degreaser. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14................................5
Figure 3: Surface abrading. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14...........................................6
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Figure 4: layout line. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14.......................................................6
Figure 5: Neutralizing. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14....................................................7
Figure 6: Lift tape at an angle. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14.......................................7
Figure 7: place tape using reference marks. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14.................7
Figure 8: prepare tape to apply adhesive M Bond. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14........8
Figure 9: Apply catalyst. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14.................................................8
Figure 10: Apply M bond 200 Adhesive, Instruction Bulletin B-127-14........................8
Figure 11: single wipe. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14...................................................8
Figure 12: thumb pressure on strain gauge. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14..................8
Figure 13: Remove tape. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14...............................................9
Figure 14: stranded wire. Bulletin 309E.......................................................................9
Figure 15: twisted end. Bulletin 309E...........................................................................9
Figure 16: Connecting lead wire to gauge. Bulletin 309E............................................9
Figure 17: Soldering. Bulletin 309E..............................................................................9
Figure 18: Apply M coat A. Bulletin 309E...................................................................10
Figure 19: 3 point loading...........................................................................................10
Figure 20: stresses on aircraft body...........................................................................14

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Introduction
This report covers a stress analysis experiment employing the strain gauge as the
main tool. Strain can be defined as a process of solid deformation due to stress. A
Strain gauge is a sensing device/apparatus whereby its resistance changes with
applied force. It applies electrical measurement technique to measure mechanical
quantities. [Omega]

Figure 1: Strain gauge. ECircuit centre

Experiment: Strain Gauging

Aim of the experiment:

Installing a strain gauge and to assess their uses.

Undertaking measurements on a beam subjected to 3 point loading.
Plotting graphical data and determining the elastic modulus of the beam
Discussing typical applications of strain gauge on aircrafts

Tools and Equipments

Working surface
Strain gauge (CEA-06-240UZ-120)
Steel beam
CSM Degreaser
Silicon Carbide Paper (320 & 400)
M-Prep Conditioner A
M-Prep Neutralizer 5A
Gauze sponges
Cotton applicators or cotton buds
PCT -2M Gage Installation Tape
Stranded tinned-copper wire (326-DFV)
Diagonal cutter
Wire stripper
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Soldering station
Solder
PDT-1 drafting tape
Dental probe
Tweezers
Vernier calliper
Ruler
L shape metal
P3 Strain Indicator and Recorder
Weight (100g to 1000g)

Procedures
The following is a list of steps that have been followed in conducting the experiment
to provide data that will be used for analysis. These steps can be divided into surface
preparation, strain gauge installation, strain gauge soldering techniques and finally
strain gauge tests. These steps are according to Micro-Measurements Instruction
Bulletin B-129-8.
Surface preparation
To avoid contamination all tools and equipments need to be cleaned. In this case the
working surface was thoroughly cleaned by using sponge gauze with Neutralizer MCleaner. This is repeatedly done until satisfied. Instruction Bulletin B-129-8
Installing strain gauge
Installation is executed in the following order to obtain the most accurate data.
Solvent degreasing
1. Apply degreasing material to surface
2. Wipe thoroughly using gauze

Figure 2: Application of degreaser. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14

3. This is carried out to remove greases, oils and organic contaminants.
Instruction Bulletin B-129-8
Surface abrading
1. Abrade with 320 grit silicon carbide paper at the bonding position
2. Add an adequate amount of M-Prep Conditioner A
3. Abrade using the wetted 320 grit silicon carbide paper.
4. Repeat using the wetted 400 grit silicon carbide paper.
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5. Cleaned by using the M-Prep Conditioner A and gauze sponge

Figure 3: Surface abrading. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14

Instruction Bulletin B-129-8

Layout lines
1. Locate the desired position of strain gauge
2. Mark a straight perpendicular line using a ball point pen.

Figure 4: layout line. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14

Instruction Bulletin B-129-8
Surface conditioning
1. Clean test surface using M-Prep Conditioner A
2. Scrub surface clean using cotton applicators until.
3. Wipe in slow motion using wire gauze.
Instruction Bulletin B-129-8
Neutralizing
1. Add cleaning agent to surface
2. Wipe using the cotton tipped applicator.
3. Wipe surface gently in one direction
Instruction Bulletin B-129-8

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.
Figure 5: Neutralizing. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14

Handling
1. Using tweezers remove gauge from protector cover
2. Attach gauge to a piece of Micro-Measurements PCT2M tape
3. Lift the tape with the gauge attached to it at an angle

Figure 6: Lift tape at an angle. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14

4. Place tape on surface aligning the triangles on the strain gauge with your
marked point.

Figure 7: place tape using reference marks. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14

5. prepare tape to apply adhesive M Bond

Figure 8: prepare tape to apply adhesive M Bond. Instruction Bulletin B-12714

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Bonding
1. Apply a thin uniform coat of M-Bond 200 Catalyst.

Figure 9: Apply catalyst. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14

2. Apply a thin uniform bond of adhesive

Figure 10: Apply M bond 200 Adhesive, Instruction Bulletin B-127-14

3. Single wipe the tape using gauze while attaching it to surface

Figure 11: single wipe. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14

4. Apply thumb pressure for about 2 minuites

Figure 12: thumb pressure on strain gauge. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14

5. Remove tape gently at an angle

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Figure 13: Remove tape. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14

Soldering techniques
1. First strip and separate the lead wire strands in color

Figure 14: stranded wire. Bulletin 309E

2. Twist the white and black strands together and the red separate

Figure 15: twisted end. Bulletin 309E

3. Place the twisted end on the gauge

Figure 16: Connecting lead wire to gauge. Bulletin 309E

4. Solder the lead wire to gauge

Figure 17: Soldering. Bulletin 309E

5. Finally apply protective coat over the gauge and soldering joints

Figure 18: Apply M coat A. Bulletin 309E

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Testing
Measure the beam geometry and record values
Connect the three wire quarter bridge circuit to the p3 indicator as follows
Red wire = P+, white wire S-, black wire = D(120)
Place beam on support
Balance and zero the gauge measure your span L
Record values for different weights

Figure 19: 3 point loading

Table of Values
Parameter
b (breadth of the beam)
d (depth of the beam)
L (Span)

Values
20
3
300

Mass (kg)
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1

Strain()
0
14
27
41
55
68
82
95
108
123
136

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Calculations
Given the above data from the tests, calculate the stress for each load increment
and plot it against the strain.
Formulas:
Bending equations
M E
= =
I Y R
Therefore
MY
I

Whereby:
M = bending moment
I = second moment of area

= stress

Y = distance from neutral axis

E = elastic modulus
R = radius of curvature
Three point loading
WL
M=
4

I=

b d3
12

Y=

d
2

Whereby:
W = applied load = Mass 0.981
L = span
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b = breadth of the beam
Solution:
Applying the set of formulas given above by first calculating the applied force in Newt
on to use it to obtain the bending moment, distance from the neutral axis and the
second moment of inertia, using these values the stress and thus the elastic
modulus will be calculated.
I=

b d 3 20 3 3
=
=45
12
12

d 3
Y = = =1.5
2 2

E=

strain

Table of values
Calculations are executed on excel spread sheet to obtain the following values.
Mass(k Weight
Strain(
g)
(N)
)
0
0
0
0.1
0.981
14
0.2
1.962
27
0.3
2.943
41
0.4
3.924
55
0.5
4.905
68
0.6
5.886
82
0.7
6.867
95
0.8
7.848
108
0.9
8.829
123
1
9.81
136

M= WL/4(Nm)
0
73.575
147.15
220.725
294.3
367.875
441.45
515.025
588.6
662.175
735.75

The average modulus of elasticity is 179.65 Gpa

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=MY/I
(Mpa)
0
2.453
4.905
7.358
9.81
12.263
14.715
17.168
19.62
22.073
24.525

E=
/strain(Gpa)
0
175.2
181.6
179.4
178.4
180.3
179.5
180.7
181.6
179.5
180.3

Strain Gauge
Graph

Stress(Mpa) against strain()

30
25
20
Stress against strain
15
10
5
0
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

The slope of the graph is 180.56 Gpa giving the elastic modulus of the of the
material.
Discussion
The plot on the above graph of Stress (Mpa) against strain () produces a straight
line implying that stress is directly proportional to stress therefore an increase in load
or force applied to the material result to increase in solid deformation. The material
obeys Hookes law which states that stress is directly proportional to stress provided
the elastic limit is not exceeded. The gradient of the line 180.56 Gpa is the modulus
of elasticity which is the stiffness of this material, it increases as the material
becomes stiffer. Comparing this value to that of steel 200 Gpa a difference of about
20 Gpa that is a 10% difference can be seen. The stiffness of this material is 10%
less than steel. Also comparing the values of average elastic modulus and one
obtained from the gradient they differ slightly because the readings obtained from the
experiment are not accurate, this is can be caused by material contamination as the
experiment escalates, uneven distribution and placement of different loads on the
beam also calibration of the loads to check for the indicated mass

Application of strain gauge

The function of a strain gauge is known to measure stresses of material where stress
is a common factor in general material engineering. This electrical measurement
tool is successfully used in many engineering applications, looking at aircraft
engineering sector, an aircraft wing itself undergoes through a lot of different
stresses such as wing fabric loading and stress, running load on wing planes and
spurs, rib loading and stress, spur bending moments shear, pin reactions and
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deflections, etc this are few stress forces acting on a wing, looking at the whole
aircraft there are many stress forces in action which can be measured by the using
the strain gauge and hence be controlled by introducing safety margins for flight
operations, construction for future developments. The following are basic aircraft
body stresses

Figure 20: stresses on aircraft body

Strain gauges are used in to give the life time of these structures of the aircraft giving
a margin for replacement before structural failure. On early days actual load was
used to measure stresses on an aircraft such as sand bags as well as body weight
but now it is much simpler more efficient and more reliable. Strain gauges are also
used in wind tunnels measure different parameters of forces, the air loads on the
elements appear as strain, which is measured by resistance strain gauge
transducers. In addition to aircraft applications strain gauge is also used in rails
keeping them in good condition by monitoring weak points similarly to bridges
keeping them in good condition.

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Conclusion
Studying the behaviour of material structure against stress can be achieved using
strain gauging step by step, as this report has covered. The main aim is to show
efforts directed toward measuring loads on aircraft utilizing strain gauges.
There are few things to be aware such as the experiment requires cleanliness from
contamination of any sort therefore makes it delicate to conduct and requires
attention, the experiment can be improved in order to obtain more accurate readings
this is by having weights placed on the beam at a designated point for a change in
position varies the result giving a less accurate readings. There may be unnoticed
faults during the bonding process.
Strain gauge has no moving parts it is small and inexpensive, simply a reliable
sensor or measuring device.

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References
1. Ecircuit centre http://web.deu.edu.tr/mechatronics/TUR/strain_gauge.htm
2. Omega. http://www.omega.com/prodinfo/straingages.html
3. Instruction Bulletin B-129-8;
http://www.vishaypg.com/docs/11129/11129B129.pdf, Vishay
4. Instruction Bulletin B-127-14,
http://www.me.ua.edu/me360/PDF/Strain_Gage_Installations_with_MBond_200_Adhesive.pdf; Vishay
5. Bulletin 309E, Student Manual for Strain Gauge Technology (1992), Vishay

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