POSITIONING STRAIN GAGES TO MONITOR BENDING,

AXIAL, SHEAR, AND TORSIONAL LOADS

In the glossary to the Pressure

Reference Section, “strain” is defined Fv

as the ratio of the change in length to 1

the initial unstressed reference 3
length. A strain gage is the element L
h

that senses this change and converts

it into an electrical signal. This can be 4
2
3 4
Fv
b
accomplished because a strain gage
changes resistance as it is stretched, 1 h
or compressed, similar to wire. For Figure C - Bending Strain
example, when wire is stretched, its 45°

cross-sectional area decreases; b

therefore, its resistance increases.
2
The important factors that must be 3 4 Figure E - Shear Strain
considered before selecting a strain
gage are the direction, type, and
Y
resolution of the strain you wish to 4
b 3
measure. FA
45°
To measure minute strains, the user 45° Z

must be able to measure minute h 45° Z

resistance changes. The Wheatstone 1 2
45°

Bridge configuration, shown in Figure Figure D - Axial Strain

MT 2 1
B, is capable of measuring these Y
small resistance changes. Note the L

signs associated with each gage Figure F - Torsional Strain

numbered 1 through 4. The total
strain is always the sum of the four
strains. would be 4 times the strain on one sectional modulus is (bh2/6).
gage. See Figure C. Strain gages used in the bending
strain configuration can be used
If total strain is four to determine vertical load (Fn);
times the strain on this is more commonly referred to
4
one gage, this as a bending beam load cell.
1
+ – means that the
F = E e (Z)/ l = E
eB(bhn2⁄6)/l B
VIN output will be four
REGULATED times larger.
DC Therefore, greater 2) AXIAL STRAIN equals axial
– + sensitivity and stress divided by Young’s
2 3 resolution are Modulus.
possible when
more than one EA = oA /E oA = FA /A
strain gage is used.
VOUT Where axial stress (oA) equals
Fig. B The following the axial load divided by the
Wheatstone Bridge equations show the cross-sectional area. The cross-
relationships sectional area for rectangles
The total strain is represented by a among stress, strain, and force for equals (b x d). Therefore, strain
change in V . If each gage had the
OUT bending, axial, shear, and torsional gages used in axial
same positive strain, the total would strain. configurations can be used to
be zero and V would remain
OUT determine axial loads (F (axial)).
unchanged. Bending, axial, and 1) BENDING STRAIN or moment
shear strain are the most common strain is equal to bending stress F (axial) = E e A bh
types of strain measured. The actual divided by Young’s Modulus of
Elasticity. 3) SHEAR STRAIN equals shear
arrangement of your strain gages will stress divided by modulus of
determine the type of strain you can eB = oB/E oB = MB/Z = Fn(l )/Z shear stress.
measure and the output voltage
change. See Figures C through F. Moment stress (oB) equals g = t/G t = Fn x
bending moment (Fn x l ) divided Q/bI
For example, if a positive (tensile) by sectional modulus. Sectional
strain is applied to gages 1 and 3, modulus (Z) is a property of the Where shear stress (t) equals
and a negative (compressive) strain cross-sectional configuration of the (Q), the moment of area about
to gages 2 and 4, the total strain specimen. For rectangles only, the the neutral axis multiplied by the

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 compensation of superimposed
vertical load (Fn ) divided by the g = 2 x e@ 45° = t/G strains. This table was created using
thickness (b) and the moment of t = Mt(d/2)/J a gage factor of 2.0, Poisson’s Ratio
inertia ( I ). Both the moment of of 0.3, and it disregards the lead wire
area (Q) and the moment of where torsional stress (t) equals resistance.
inertia ( I ) are functions of the torque (Mt) multiplied by the
specimen’s cross-sectional distance from the center of the This chart is quite useful in
geometry. section to the outer fiber (d/2), determining the meter sensitivity
divided by (J), the polar moment required to read strain values.
For rectangles only of inertia. The polar moment of
Q = bh 2⁄8 and I = bh 3⁄12 Temperature compensation is
inertia is a function of the cross- achieved in many of the above
The shear strain (g ) is sectional area. For solid circular configurations. Temperature
determined by measuring the shafts only, J = p (d)4⁄32. The compensation means that the gage’s
strain at a 45° angle, as shown in modulus of shear strain (G) has thermal expansion coefficient does
Figure E. been defined in the preceding not have to match the specimen’s
discussion on shear stress. Strain thermal expansion coefficient;
g= 2 X e@ 45° gages can be used to determine therefore, any OMEGA® strain gage,
The modulus of shear strain (G) = torsional moments as shown in regardless of its temperature
E/2 (1 + m ). Therefore, strain the equation below. This characteristics, can be used with any
gages used in a shear strain represents the principle behind specimen material. Quarter bridges
configuration can be used to every torque sensor. can have temperature compensation
determine vertical loads (Fn ); this if a dummy gage is used. A dummy
Mt = t(J) (2/d) gage is a strain gage used in place of
is more commonly referred to as
a shear beam load cell. = g G (J) (2/d) a fixed resistor. Temperature
= g G (p d 3⁄16) compensation is achieved when this
Fn = G (g ) bI/Q dummy gage is mounted on a piece
Ø = MTL/G(J) of material similar to the specimen
= G (g ) b (bh3⁄12)/(bh2⁄8) which undergoes the same
= G (g )bh(2/3) temperature changes as does the
specimen, but which is not exposed
4) TORSIONAL STRAIN equals to the same strain. Strain
torsional stress (t) divided by
torsional modulus of elasticity (G).
T he following table shows how
bridge configuration affects output,
temperature compensation is not the
same as load (stress) temperature
See Figure F. temperature compensation, and compensation, because Young's
Modulus of Elasticity varies with
temperature.

STRAIN BRIDGE POSITION SENSITIVITY OUTPUT PER TEMP. SUPERIMPOSED

TYPE OF GAGES MV/V @ m e @ 10 V COMP. STRAIN COMPENSATED
Figs. C-F 1000 m e EXCITATION
1
⁄4 1 0.5 5 m V/m e No None
BENDING 1
⁄2 1, 2 1.0 10 m V/m e Yes Axial
Full All 2.0 20 m V/m e Yes Axial
STRAIN GAGES
1
⁄4 1 0.5 5 m V/m e No None
1
⁄2 1, 2 0.65 6.5 m V/m e Yes None
AXIAL 1
⁄2 1, 3 1.0 10 m V/m e No Bending
Full All 1.3 13 m V/m e Yes Bending
1
⁄2 1, 2 1.0 10 m V/m e Yes Axial and Bending
SHEAR
&
@ 45°F E
TORSIONAL Full All 2.0 20 m V/m e Yes Axial and Bending
@ 45°F

Note: Shear and torsional strain = 2 x e @ 45°

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