Stain Gauge

STRAIN GAUGE
CONTENTS
• Introduction
 Strain
 Measurement Techniques
• Types of Strain
• Resistive Strain gauge
• Gauge Factor
• Strain Gauge Sensitivity
• Wheat Stone Bridge
• Types of Strain Gauges
INTRODUCTION
STRAIN
A strain is a measure of deformation representing the
displacement between particles in the body relative to a
reference length.
Which is defined as the change in length(∆l) per unit
length(I)Usually in m (x10-6)
∆𝑙
Strain ( 𝜀 𝐿 ) =
𝑙
DEFINITION
• A strain gauge is an example of passive transducer that converts a

mechanical displacement into a change of resistance.
• A strain gauge is a thin, wafer-like device that can be attached to a
variety of materials to measure applied strain.
S T R UC T U R E
• The majority of strain gauges are foil types, available in a

wide choice of shapes and sizes to suit a variety of
applications. They consist of a pattern of resistive foil
which is mounted on a backing material.
• They operate on the principle that as the foil is subjected to
stress, the resistance of the foil changes in a defined way.
Measuring Technique
Mechanical Force Calibration
Electrical
Change Signal Signal
Strain Gauge in Conditioning Readout
Property
• Electrical • Potential Divider • Voltage

• Optical • Wheatstone • Current
• Mechanical Bridge
Types of Strain
Based on the Axis of Applied Force
1. Longitudinal (axial) strain -- Force Axis --
2. Transverse strain -- Perpendicular Axis --
Longitudinal 𝑷𝒐𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐 (𝝂 ) = − 𝜺 𝑻

Strain 𝜺𝑳
|𝜺𝑻|<¿ 𝜺 𝑳∨¿
Transverse
Strain
Types of Strain
Based on the Direction of Applied Force
1.Tensile strain
If the force tends to stretch the gauge
2. Compressive Strain
If the force tends to compress the gauge
Resistive Strain Gauge
Strain gauge is bonded to an object ,When subject to strain, its
resistance R changes, the fractional change in resistance being
proportional to the mechanical strain .
Mechanical strain
Strain
Gauge
Electrical strain
Wheatstone Bridge
Electrical Output
G is the gauge factor (Strain Factor)

Gauge Factor
The resistance R of a conductor of cross section area A, length L, made of material of resistivity is
Gauge Factor is Defined as
Where
Where ,
∆𝐴 ∆𝐷
=2
𝐴 𝐷
Area A is geometric dimension

Where of strain gauge, ; where D
Diameter
Strain Gauge Sensitivity
Strain measurement involves a very small quantity (a few ) Therefore to measure
strain, requires accurate measurement of a very small change of resistance.
Example:
For a strain of 500 m, with Gauge factor= 2, strain gauge has R=120 Ω
Then
= 120 X 2 X 500 m
= 0.12 Ω (it’s a very small resistance change)
To measure such a small change in resistance, a bridge circuit is needed to convert

this change in resistance to the change in voltage.
Wheatstone Bridge
OPAM is used to increase the
linearity by reducing the loading
effect on the wheat-stone Bridge.
For Balanced Bridge

Quarter Bridge
Half Bridge
• The arrangement becomes more

sensitive due to two active strain
gauges
• Temperature effects are cancelled
out.
Full Bridge
• This arrangement is used to give

maximum sensitivity combined
with full temperature
compensation
Types of Strain Gauge
Various means like Mechanical, optical or electrical can be used to measure deformation
(strain) of an object.
o Mechanical strain gauges offer certain limitations like low resolutions. Besides they are
bulky and difficult to use.
o Capacitance and Inductance-based strain gages were introduced but these devices
sensitivity to vibration, their mounting requirements, and circuit complexity restricted
their usage.
o A photoelectric gauge can be as short as 1/16 inch but its usage proves to be extremely
costly and delicate.
o Other types of Strain Gauges are:
• Bonded Strain Gauges
• Unbonded Strain Gauges
• Rosettes
• Semiconductor (Piezo-resistive) strain gauges
Bonded Strain Gauge
 In this type strain gauge is bonded directly to the surface
of the specimen being tested with a thin layer of adhesive
cement .
 The bonded strain gauge will be either a wire type or a foil

type as shown in the figure below.
 It is connected to a paper or a thick plastic film support.
 The measuring leads are soldered or welded to the gauge

wire.

Unbonded Strain Gauge
 Unbonded strain gauge is used in places where the

gauge is to be detached and used again and again.
 Unbonded strain gauges consists of frames P and Q

carrying rigidly fixed insulated pins. These two frames
can move relative with respect to each other.
 A fine wire resistance strain gauge

is stretched around the insulated pins.
 When a force is applied on the structure under study

(frames P & Q), frames P moves relative to frame Q,
and due to this strain gauge will change in length and
cross section i.e. resistance changes which is
measured by a Wheatstone Bridge.
Rosettes
 It is a combination of strain gauges.
 An element may be subjected to stress in

any direction and hence it may be difficult to
find out the direction of principal stress.
 Therefore we need a strain gauge which

measures the principal strain without
actually knowing its direction.
 Rosettes which in combination of two or

three strain gauges are used for such a
purpose.
Semiconductor Strain Gauge
 Employs piezoresistive property, i.e. the

change in value of resistance due to the
change in resistivity
 Semiconductor materials such as silicon or

germanium are used as resistive materials.
 High gauge factor of about ±130.
 Very small in length ranging from 0.7 to 7

mm.

Stain Gauge

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STRAIN GAUGE

• A strain gauge is an example of passive transducer that converts a

• The majority of strain gauges are foil types, available in a

Mechanical Force Calibration

• Electrical • Potential Divider • Voltage

Longitudinal 𝑷𝒐𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐 (𝝂 ) = − 𝜺 𝑻

G is the gauge factor (Strain Factor)

Area A is geometric dimension

To measure such a small change in resistance, a bridge circuit is needed to convert

For Balanced Bridge

• The arrangement becomes more

• This arrangement is used to give

 The bonded strain gauge will be either a wire type or a foil

 It is connected to a paper or a thick plastic film support.

 The measuring leads are soldered or welded to the gauge

 Unbonded strain gauge is used in places where the

 Unbonded strain gauges consists of frames P and Q

 A fine wire resistance strain gauge

 When a force is applied on the structure under study

 An element may be subjected to stress in

 Therefore we need a strain gauge which

 Rosettes which in combination of two or

 Employs piezoresistive property, i.e. the

 Semiconductor materials such as silicon or

 High gauge factor of about ±130.

 Very small in length ranging from 0.7 to 7

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