Scribd
Upload
155 views5 pages

ME 307 Mechanical Measurements Laboratory Department of Mechanical Engineering I.I.T.Bombay

The experiment aims to determine the gauge factor of a given strain gauge. Various weights were attached to a cantilever beam with the strain gauge attached. The resistance change in the strain gauge was measured using a Wheatstone bridge circuit. The gauge factor was calculated from the slope of a graph of resistance change versus strain and found to be -2.3365. Sources of error include inaccuracies in weight measurements and human error in physical measurements. The gauge factor indicates the resistance decreases as the length increases under tension.

Uploaded by

arvind murali
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
155 views5 pages

ME 307 Mechanical Measurements Laboratory Department of Mechanical Engineering I.I.T.Bombay

The experiment aims to determine the gauge factor of a given strain gauge. Various weights were attached to a cantilever beam with the strain gauge attached. The resistance change in the strain gauge was measured using a Wheatstone bridge circuit. The gauge factor was calculated from the slope of a graph of resistance change versus strain and found to be -2.3365. Sources of error include inaccuracies in weight measurements and human error in physical measurements. The gauge factor indicates the resistance decreases as the length increases under tension.

Uploaded by

arvind murali
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

ME 307

MECHANICAL MEASUREMENTS LABORATORY

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING


I.I.T.BOMBAY

Autumn semester 2021-22

EXPERIMENT NO - 9

NAME: ARVIND MURALI

ROLL NO: 190100074


EXPERIMENT 9

DETERMINATION OF GAUGE FACTOR OF STRAIN GAUGE

Aim: To attach a strain gauge on a cantilever and determine the gauge factor of the given strain
gauge.

Observation Table:

Potentiometer pot resistance value (Rpot): 625 ohms RG = 1000 ohms

Change in
Sr.N Sample Wt. Measured Output Gauge factor,
resistance Strain (ε)
o (gms) (VGA) in mV K
(ΔR/REq)

1 A 7 -0.000736488 0.000290237 -2.537542615

2 B 13 -0.001367378 0.000580473 -2.35562571

3 C 20 -0.002102967 0.00087071 -2.415232491

4 D 26 -0.002733088 0.001160947 -2.354188627

5 E 33 -0.00346778 0.001451183 -2.389621932

6 F 39 -0.004097132 0.00174142 -2.352753297

Data Analysis:

R1= 150 ohms R2= 150 ohms R3= 150 ohms Rpot= 625 ohms

Resistance of strain gauge at unloaded condition (Rs) = 121 ohms

New Resistance of strain gauge at loaded condition: (Rs1)

DC power supply (VDC)= 12 volts

Distance between hole on the ruler and midpoint of strain gauge (L): 27.5 cm

Width of ruler (b): 3.3 cm Thickness of ruler (h): 1.3 mm


120.9677419 ohms
135.483871 ohms
Source voltage across Wheatstone bridge: 0.761329305 Volts

Gain of amplifier (G): 50.5

VG= VGA / G=

Calculate RS1 using above equation

Change in resistance

where g is acceleration due to gravity


Calculate stress (σ) using above equation

Now stress σ = E*ε

Calculate strain (ε) using above equation

Gauge factor (GF) = K =

Plot ΔR/Req versus ε and the slope of the graph will give the gauge factor.

Gauge factor (from graph): -2.3365

Use this gauge factor and calculate the weight obtained by putting any two weights on the
platform. Compare the estimated weight with the known weight.

Note: To compare with known weight first calculate the change in resistance for unknown
weight and by using gauge factor formula calculate strain (ε) then using stress-strain
relationship calculate stress and finally unknown weight.
Sample calculations:

Sr. No 1
V DC ∗RT
Vs = = 12 * 135.483871 / (135.483871 + 2000) = 0.761329305 Volts
R T +2000

49.5 k Ω
Gain (G) = 1+ = 1 + (49.5/1) = 50.5
RG

VG = VGA / G = 7 / 50.5 = 0.138613861 mV

Req V
Let A = − G
R eq + R2 V S

120.96 0.1386∗10−3
A= − = 0.446246503
120.96+150 0.7613

R1
RS1 = 1 = 120 / (1/0.446246503 – 1) = 120.8786506 Ω
−1
A

R S 1−R eq
ΔR/Req = = (120.8786506 - 120.9677419)/(120.9677419) = -0.000736488
R eq

6∗m∗g∗L
Strain ε = = (6* 0.2 * 9.81 * 27.5) / (3.3 * (1.3*10-3)2 * 109) = 0.000290237
b∗h2∗E

Gauge Factor (K) = (ΔR/Req) / ε = -0.000736488 / 0.000290237 = -2.537542615

Plot of ΔR/Req vs ε
ΔR/Req vs ε
0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0

0 f(x) = − 2.34 x − 0

0
ΔR/Req

0 ΔR/Req vs ε
Linear Fit
0

Kgraph = -2.3365

Conclusion and discussion on results:

1. The gauge factor of the given strain gauge was determined by using a Wheatstone bridge
and the final value of the gauge factor (from the slope of the graph) came out to be
-2.3365.
2. The value of K ranges from -2.352753297 to -2.537542615
3. The ΔR/Req vs ε curve is approximately linear as expected from the theoretical relations.
4. The gauge factor is defined as (dR/R)/(dL/L), and all gauge factor values we obtained are
negative indicating that resistance decreases when the length increases.

Sources of error:

 The masses of sample weights could be erroneous


 Human error (parallax) could creep in during measurement of length, breadth and
thickness
 Possible loose connections in the circuit could result in errors in the measurement

You might also like