MEC60103 Practical 2:

STRAIN GAUGE MEASUREMENT

Name : Gabriel Hii Jia Enn

Student ID : 0321318

Group Members : 1. Aaron Wong Chung Hieng

2. Lim Jia Qing
3. Wan Nur Fariees Fitrie
Date of Experiment: 29th April 2016
Report due date: 13th May 2016
Report submission date: 13th May
2016
Checked by: Dr. Chou Pui May

4. Nik Shazril Bakti Ahmad Shazilly Item/marks

Format/10
Abstract and Introduction/10
Figures and Diagrams/15
Materials and Methods/10
Results & Discussions/45
Conclusion & References/10
Total

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Mechanical Engineering

School of Engineering
Taylors University
Malaysia

1
 Table Of Contents

Abstract........................................................................................................................................3

1.0 Introduction......................................................................................................................3

2.0 Experimental Design........................................................................................................4

2.1 Materials...........................................................................................................................6

2.2 Methods.............................................................................................................................6

2.3 Procedure..........................................................................................................................6

3.0 Results and Discussion.....................................................................................................7

3.1. Table and Results..............................................................................................................7

3.2. Calculations......................................................................................................................8

3.3. Graphs.............................................................................................................................11

3.4. Discussion.......................................................................................................................12

4.0 Error Analysis.................................................................................................................12

5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations...............................................................................13

6.0 References......................................................................................................................13

2
Abstract

1.0 Introduction

3
2.0 Experimental Design

Figure 2.0.1 The dial gauge is installed in position at center of eccentric loaded tie.

4
 E
C D

Figure 2.0.2 The side view demonstrates the installation of load hanger and series of load weights.

F H
G

Figure 2.0.3 The side view demonstrates the installation of load hanger and series of load weights.

5
 2.1 Materials

A Aluminium alloy beam B Load hanger

C 10N weight load D 5N weight load

E 2N weight load F Dummy gauge

G Analogue strain meter H Electrical switch

I Calibration knob J Active gauge

2.2 Methods

At the early stage of experiment, the main apparatus, HSM 18 Electrical Resistance
Strain Gauge, was switched on to allow idle operation for approximately a quarter of an hour in
order to reach thermal stabilized state for consistent performance of measuring strain value for
aluminium alloy beam. The idle operation is essential and compulsory for most electronic
measuring devices as the accuracy of its measurements might be defer due to slight temperature
changes of electronic circuit [1].

After switching on the main apparatus, the pointer of the analog strain meter would always
be calibrated by rotating calibration knob back and forth before each experiment trials. Each
experiment trials begin with ascending order of weight loads from 5N up to 30N and ends with
descending order of weight loads from 30N down to 5N. It is important to perform calibration
before slotting next weight loads to avoid zero error occurs that would affect the accuracy of
experimental readings.

The experimental readings of longitudinal strain for aluminium alloy beam together with
its respective theoretical calculations are being tabulated and plotted on graphs to do comparison
for further data analysis. The interpretations made on experimental data and graphs will be
concluded and justify the hypothesis of experiment.

2.3 Procedure

1) The 3-pin plug was connected to external 240V A.C. power supply before the main
power switch was turned on.
2) The switch for powering HSM 18 Electrical Resistance Strain Gauge was turned on.
6
 3) The calibration knob was adjusted to allow pointer being calibrated at zero reading
shown in the analogue strain meter.
4) A 5N weight load was slotted into load hanger and the final reading on the analogue
strain meter was observed before being recorded.
5) Steps 3 to 4 were repeated by replacing 5N slotted weight to 10N, 15N, 20N, 25N, and
30N accordingly in ascending order.
6) Steps 3 to 5 were repeated by testing series of slotted weight in descending order from
30N to 5N.
7) The experimental readings were being tabulated and their respective theoretical strain
values were being calculated to perform comparison and used further for plotting graphs
and error analysis.

3.0 Results and Discussion

3.1. Table and Results

Experimental longitudinal strain, e ( )

Weight, W (N) st nd rd
1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial Average reading
0 0 0 0 0.00
5 400 350 350 366.67
10 780 700 690 723.33
15 1100 1030 1030 1053.33
20 1480 1420 1390 1430.00
25 1720 1710 1750 1726.67
30 2090 2090 2090 2090.00
Table 3.1.1: Final experimental longitudinal strain by trials with series of weight load in
ascending order.

Experimental longitudinal strain, e ( )

Weight, W (N) st
1 Trial 2nd Trial 3rd Trial Average reading
0 0 0 0 0.00
5 350 350 350 350.00
10 720 680 700 700.00
15 1050 1050 1050 1050.00
20 1390 1390 1390 1390.00
25 1720 1720 1710 1716.67
30 2100 2050 2090 2080.00
Table 3.1.2: Final experimental longitudinal strain by trials with series of weight load in
descending order.

Experimental longitudinal Change in electrical resistance

Weight, W ( N )
strain, e ( ) of strain gauge, R ( )
0 0.00 0.0000
5 366.67 0.0933
10 723.33 0.1840
15 1053.33 0.2680
7
 20 1430.00 0.3638
25 1726.67 0.4393
30 2090.00 0.5317
Table 3.1.3 - Change in electrical resistance of strain gauge according to its respective
experimental longitudinal strain by testing series of weight load in ascending order.

Experimental longitudinal Change in electrical resistance

Weight, W ( N )
strain, e ( ) of strain gauge, R ( )
0 0.00 0.0000
5 350.00 0.0890
10 700.00 0.1781
15 1050.00 0.2671
20 1390.00 0.3536
25 1716.67 0.4367
30 2080.00 0.5292
Table 3.1.4 - Change in electrical resistance of strain gauge according to its respective
experimental longitudinal strain by testing series of weight load in descending order.

Theoretical longitudinal Change in electrical resistance

Weight, W ( N )
strain, e ( ) of strain gauge, R ( )
0 0.00 0.0000
5 250.74 0.0638
10 501.49 0.1276
15 752.23 0.1914
20 1002.97 0.2552
25 1253.72 0.3189
30 1504.46 0.3827
Table 3.1.5 - Change in electrical resistance of strain gauge according to its respective
theoretical longitudinal strain

3.2. Calculations

8
 Length 150mm (Equivalent to 0.15m)
Width 25.4mm (Equivalent to 0.0254m)
Thickness 3.2mm ((Equivalent to 0.0032m)
Table 3.2.1 Demonstration of exact dimensions for aluminium alloy beam

Sample of calculation for theoretical longitudinal strain upon installation of 10N slotted by
distance of 150mm from electronic
t Theoretical longitudinal strain of beam
strain y Distance from neutral axis of beam (1.6mm) gage:
M Amount of end moment (Nm)
E Modulus of elasticity ( 6.9 x 1010 Pa )
1 1
I A = w t 3I A Area
I A = moment ofminertia
( 0.0254 ) ( 0.0032m )3 I A 6.9359 x 1011 m4
12 12
Table 3.2.2 Steps of calculations from left to right for area moment of inertia for
aluminium beam

M=WL M =(10 N )(0.15 m) M =1.50 Nm

Table 3.2.3 Steps of calculations from left to right for amount of end moment produced

My
t=
EIA

Table 3.2.4 Demonstration of formula for calculating theoretical longitudinal strain value

( 1.50 Nm )( 0.0016 m)
t= 10 11 4
(6.9 x 10 Pa)(6.9359 x 10 m )

t =5.01487 x 104

t =501.487 x 106
Table 3.2.5 Demonstration of calculating theoretical longitudinal strain under 10N load

9
 Theoretical longitudinal strain, t (
Weight, W ( N )
)
0 0.000
5 250.744
10 501.487
15 752.231
GF Gauge
20 factor (Default value is1002.974
2.12)
R 25 Change in electrical resistance
1253.718
Ro 30 Unstrained electrical resistance
1504.461
Table (Default value is 120 ) 3.2.6 Tabulation of
e Experimental longitudinal strain values. theoretical longitudinal
strain for series of weight loads.

R
GF=
Ro e

Table 3.2.7 Demonstration of formula for calculating changes in electrical resistance

Sample of calculation for the change in electrical resistance when a 10N weight load was slotted
as below:

R R
GF= 2.12= R 0.1781
Ro e 6
(120)(700 x 10 )

Table 3.2.8 Steps of calculations from left to right for change in electrical resistance

10
3.3. Graphs

Graph Of Experimental And Theoretical Strain Values Against Weight Load

Theoretical Longitudinal
2500 Strain

Linear (Theoretical Longitudinal Strain)

2000

1500
Experimental Longitudinal Strain (Ascending weight loads)

Longitudinal Strain Value,

1000
Linear (Experimental Longitudinal Strain (Ascending weight loads))

500
Experimental Longitudinal Strain (Descending weight loads)

0
0 5 Strain10
Linear (Experimental Longitudinal 15 weight
(Descending 20 loads))
25 30

Weight load (N)

Graph of change in electrical resistance against weight load

Theoretical Longitudinal Strain
0.6

0.5
Linear (Theoretical Longitudinal Strain)

0.4
Experimental Longitudinal Strain (Ascending weight loads)
0.3
Change In Electrical Resistance, ()
Linear (Experimental Longitudinal
0.2 Strain (Ascending weight loads))

0.1
Experimental Longitudinal Strain (Descending weight loads)

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Linear (Experimental Longitudinal Strain (Descending weight loads))
Weight Load (N)

11
 3.4. Discussion

4.0 Error Analysis

Experimental valueTheoretical value

Percentage error= x 100
Theoretical value

Sample calculation of percentage error for experimental longitudinal strain value under 10N
weight load (ascending series) is shown as below:

723.33501.49
Percentage error= 100
501.49

Percentage error=44.24

Sample calculation of percentage error for experimental values of change in electrical resistance
under 10N weight load (ascending series) is shown as below:

0.18400.1276
Percentage error= 100
0.1276

Percentage error=44.20

Weight, Longitudinal strain ( )

Percentage error
W( Theoretical, Experimental,
t e ( )
N )
0 0.00 0.00 0.00
5 250.74 366.67 46.23
10 501.49 723.33 44.24
15 752.23 1053.33 40.03
20 1002.97 1430.00 42.58
25 1253.72 1726.67 37.72
30 1504.46 2090.00 38.92
Table 4.0.1 Tabulation of percentage error for experimental longitudinal strain obtained
by ascending order of slotted weights.

Weight, Longitudinal strain ( )

Percentage error
W( Theoretical, Experimental,
t e ( )
N )
0 0.00 0.00 0.00
5 250.74 350.00 39.58
12
 10 501.49 700.00 39.58
15 752.23 1050.00 39.58
20 1002.97 1390.00 38.59
25 1253.72 1716.67 36.93
30 1504.46 2080.00 38.26
Table 4.0.2 Tabulation of percentage error for experimental longitudinal strain obtained
by desecending order of slotted weights.

Weight, Change in electrical resistance of

Percentage error
W( strain gauge, R ( )
( )
N ) Theoretical Experimental
0 0.0000 0.0000 0.00
5 0.0638 0.0933 46.24
10 0.1276 0.1840 44.20
15 0.1914 0.2680 40.02
20 0.2552 0.3638 42.55
25 0.3189 0.4393 37.75
30 0.3827 0.5317 38.93
Table 4.0.3 Tabulation of percentage error for experimental values for change in
electrical resistance obtained by ascending order of slotted weights.

Weight, Change in electrical resistance of

Percentage error
W( strain gauge, R ( )
( )
N ) Theoretical Experimental
0 0.0000 0.0000 0.00
5 0.0638 0.0890 39.50
10 0.1276 0.1781 39.58
15 0.1914 0.2671 39.55
20 0.2552 0.3536 38.56
25 0.3189 0.4367 36.94
30 0.3827 0.5292 38.28
Table 4.0.4 Tabulation of percentage error for experimental values for change in
electrical resistance obtained by descending order of slotted weights.

5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations

6.0 References
1. Jones, E. B., & Noltingk, B. E. (1987). Jones instrument technology: Instrumentation
systems. pg. 22. United Kingdom: Butterworth-Heinemann.

13
14
15