Strain Gages and Analysis

Units #24 and #25 - CE 212 13/15 April 2004

Definition of Strain
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Axial strain: =/L Lateral strain: =D/D Poissons ratio: =- /

Stress and Strain

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Strain () is the displacement per unit length. Strain is normally a small number recorded in the lab as microstrain, (1x10-6). Stress () is the load per unit of cross-sectional area. Stress and strain are related through the modulus of elasticity, E, by Hookes Law. Uniaxial stress, =E (Gere p. 23)) Biaxial plane stress (Gere p. 515) Triaxial stress (Gere p. 521)

Introduction to Strain Gages

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Basic principles of strain gages were demonstrated by Lord Kelvin in 1856. Resistance of wires in tension increases as the force increases. Wires made of different materials will have different resistivities. A Wheatstone bridge can be used to measure the resistance change.

Strain Gage Resistance

T T

Rbefore < Rafter

Wheatstone Bridge Circuit

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There are four resistors. Anywhere from one to four of the resistors may be strain gages. The strain gage resistance changes under tension or compression. The change in voltage of the circuit is related to the change in strain.

Construction of Strain Gage

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The most common type is the metal-foil strain gage, etched on thin plastic sheets. The gages are bonded to prepared test specimens with special adhesives. Wires are soldered onto the tabs of strain gages. The wires are then hooked up to a strain indicator to form a Wheatstone bridge. The strain indicator gives a direct reading of strain.

Diagram of Strain Gage

Strain Gages

Concrete Strain Gage

Metal Strain Gage

Strain Indicators

Strain Gages on a Reinforced Concrete Test Beam

Strain Rosette
A strain rosette incorporates three individual strain gages. ! It can be used to find principal strains along with Mohrs circle. ! These come in various configurations of angles. The example to the right is a rectangular pattern (0-45-90 degrees). Another common pattern is the delta configuration (0-60-120 degrees).
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