Page | 1

ABSTRACT

This experiment is divided into four different individual experiments. Experiment 1 is

Getting to Know the Equipment, where the usage of the four different gauges are clearly
explains and by carrying out the experiment, the concept is understood. In this experiment as
well, the usage of Versatile Data Acquisition System(VDAS) is explained. Experiment 2 is
The Bending System is on the measurement of strain endured by metals when experiencing
bending for example airplane wings. Experiment 3 is The Torsion System, is on the shear
and torsional strain endured by a metal under twisting or experiencing torque. Experiment 4
is The Tension System, is on measuring the tension experienced by metal.

For all the experiment, theoretical calculation was performed and the reading from the VDAS
system is taken to compare and measure the accuracy of the system as well as the calculation.
Throughout the experiment, the VDAS system played a major role in the calculation part.

The experiment are broken down clearly to be read and understood.

Page | 2

OBJECTIVE

There are four parts to this experiment, the respective objectives for the experiments are as
follows:

Experiment 1: Getting to know the Equipment

a) To use the Bending system to make students become more familiar with the use of
equipment
b) To show the equation used by the strain display
c) To use the Bending System to show and compare different strain bridge connection
and show the linearity of strain measurement.

Experiment 2: The Bending System

a) To show how to measure strains in an object that bends and compare the results with
theory.

Experiment 3: The Torsion System

a) To show how to connect and use shear and torque (torsional) strain gauges to measure
strains in an object that twists.
b) To show how to compare displayed strains with theory for a torsion beam.

Experiment 4: The Tension System

a) To show how to connect and use strain gauges to measure strains in two dimensions.
b) To show how to compare the displayed tensile strains in two dimensions with theory
and prove Poisson's ratio.

Page | 3

THEORY

The Strain Gauges:

Strain Gauges are electrical sensors (transducers) that measure strains. Their electrical
resistance changes by a small amount when an external force stretches or compresses them.
This change in resistance is directly proportional to displacement (strain).

Thin metal foil element

The Wheatstone Bridge:

Figure 1 The Wheatstone Bridge

The basis of most strain measurement is the Wheatstone Bridge, shown in Figure 11. It has
four identical resistances (R1, R2, R3 and R4) connected end to end in a diamond shape. An
input voltage (Vj) connects across two opposite connections. The output voltage is measured
at the other two connections.

Page | 4

Figure 2 Voltage Against Resistance

Curve 1 shows how the output of a Wheatstone Bridge changes when resistor R1 changes.
The output is not linear, but It will give good results for small resistance changes.
Curve 2 shows how the output of a Wheatstone Bridge changes when resistor R1 and an
opposite resistor (R4) changes by the same amount. The output is twice as much as with a
single resistance change, but again the curve is not linear.
Curve 3 shows how the output of a Wheatstone Bridge changes when resistor R1 and an
adjacent resistor (R3) changes by the same but inverse amount. The output voltage of the
bridge doubles and the curve becomes almost linear.
Curve 4 shows how the output of a Wheatstone Bridge changes when resistor R1 and an
adjacent resistor (R3) changes by the same but inverse amount, and also the resistance of the
opposite resistors R2 and R4 change by the same amount. The output is four times greater
than with a single gauge and the curve is linear.

Page | 5

To calculate the strain from the dc voltage across the bridge, the Strain Display uses a
standard equation:

(1)

Direct Stress, Strain and Youngs Modulus

Stress ()
This is the force applied to a material over a known area. It is found by the equation:

Compressive stress is where the material is compressed. It has a negative value.

Tensile stress is where the material is stretched. It has a positive value.

Strain ()
This is the change in length (distortion caused by stress) of a material over its original length.
It is found by the equation:

Compressive strain is where the material has compressed. It has a negative value.
Tensile strain is where the material has stretched. It has a positive value.

Youngs Modulus (E)

This is a ratio of the tensile stress divided by the tensile strain on a material. An English
physicist - Thomas Young discovered it. It is a measure of the stiffness of a material (a stiffer
material has a higher value of Young's Modulus). It is found by the equation:
E=

Page | 6

Modulus of Rigidity or Shear Modulus (G)

The Shear Modulus or Modulus of Rigidity is a measure of the rigidity of the material when
in 'shear' - when it is twisting. It is a ratio of the shear stress and the shear strain of the
material:

Page | 7

EQUIPTMENT

The equipment used for this experiment is a Strain Gauge Trainer SM1009
that is connected to the Versatile Data Acquisition System (VDAS).

The Tension System

The tension system has a tensile test specimen. This shows the strain in
different materials when they are stressed (or stretched) along their axis.
A clamp holds the test specimen. Weights are added to the weight hanger
connected to the bottom of the specimen. The weights apply a stretching
(tensile) force to the specimen.

Page | 8

The Torsion System

The torsion system is a solid, circular section torsion beam. A torsion
beam is a bar or rod held between two fixings. One or both fixings can
rotate or twist independently of each other by small amounts. A moments
arm fits into the bearing so that the students can add weights to twist the
beam. Two sets of special torsion gauges measure the torsional (twisting)
shear strain on the surface of the beam at 45 degrees to the beam length.
One set of gauges is underneath the beam and the other is on top of the
beam.

The Bending System

This is a solid, rectangular section cantilever beam. This is a specimen
beam held securely at one end. A cantilever can bend or deflect
upwards or downwards, but in this guide, the experiments will bend the
beam downwards. Four standard strain gauges measure the tensile and
compressive strains directly in line with the beam. Two gauges measure
the tensile strain on the top of the beam. The other two gauges measure
the compressive strain underneath the beam.

Page | 9

The Strain Display

The strain display is a metal box with a display, controls and input sockets.
The input sockets accept the signals from the color-coded strain gauges
on the three different systems of the Strain Gauge Trainer. The multiple
display shows the output voltage measure across the strain bridge and
automatically calculates and displays the strain.
The box also has a socket for connection to the hardware of the VDAS, to
allow data to be transferred to a computer.

P a g e | 10

Virtual Data Acquisition System (VDAS)

The VDAS is a two-part product(hardware and software) that will:

automatically log data from the experiment

automatically calculates the data
save time
reduce error
create charts and tables from the data
export data for processing in other software

P a g e | 11

Experiment 1 - Getting to Know the Equipment

PROCEDURE
1. Create four blank results tables, each similar to Table 2. If you are to use VDAS, select the
'Bending System Experiment'. The software will create the table as you do the experiment.
2. Connect the strain connection cable to the output socket of the Bending System.
Quarter Bridge Connection
3. Connect only the red gauge (red wire and plug) to the strain display as a quarter bridge
connection.
Fit dummy plugs to the other three sockets.
4. Switch on the power to the strain display. Adjust the configuration control to 1 (1 active
arm). Adjust the gauge factor to be the same as written on the back plate near the
bending system.
5. In your results table, note the gauge factor and active arms setting. If you are to use
VDAS, the software will automatically record these for you.
6. Carefully slide a knife-edge hanger onto the beam to the 420 mm position. Leave the
equipment to stabilize for approximately one minute, then press and hold the 'zero'
button until the display readings become 0 (zero).
7. Note the output voltage and strain readings into your table. If you are to use VDAS,
click on the 'Record Data Values' button.
8. Hook a small weight hanger to the knife-edge hanger.
9. The small weight hanger is 10 g. Add 4 x 10 g weights to the weight hanger to give a
total weight (load) of 50 g. Note the output voltage and strain readings into your table.
If you are to use VDAS, adjust the load setting, then click on the 'Record Data Values'
button.
10.In increments of 50 g, add more weights to the weight hanger until you reach 500 g.
At each increment, note the output voltage and strain readings into your table. If you
are to use VDAS, remember to adjust the load setting at each increment, then click
on the 'Record Data Values' button.
Half Bridge 1 Connection - Opposite Arms (two gauges measure the same strain)
11. Repeat the experiment but:
Connect the red gauge (red wire and plug) and the blue gauge (blue wire and
plug) to the strain display as a half bridge (opposite arms) connection.
Fit dummy plugs to the other two sockets.
Adjust the configuration control to Act = 2 (2 active arms).
Half Bridge 2 Connection - Adjacent Arms (two gauges measure opposite strain)
12.Repeat the experiment but:
Connect the red gauge (red wire and plug) and the green gauge (green wire and
plug) to the strain display as a half bridge (adjacent arms) connection.
Fit dummy plugs to the other two sockets.

P a g e | 12

Adjust the configuration control to Act = 2 (2 active arms).

Full Bridge Connection
13.Repeat the experiment but:
Connect the red gauge (red wire and plug) and the blue gauge (blue wire and
plug), to opposite sockets.
Connect the yellow gauge (yellow wire and plug) and the green gauge (green wire and
plug) to opposite sockets, to complete a full bridge connection.
Adjust the configuration control to Act = 4 (4 active arms).
DATA, OBSERVATION AND RESULTS

Table 1 Quarter Bridge Connection

Table 2 Half Bridge 1 Connection - Opposite Arms (two gauges measure the same strain)

P a g e | 13

Table 3 Half Bridge 2 Connection - Adjacent Arms (two gauges measure opposite strain)

Table 4 Full Bridge Connection

P a g e | 14

output voltage vs load

1600
1400

f(x) = 2.82x + 1.82

1200
1000
Voltage (V)

800
f(x)
0.73
f(x) =
= 1.42x
1.4x - -6.86

600
400

f(x) = 0.73x + 0.77

200
0

100

200

300

400

500

Load (kg)
Full Bridge

Linear (Full Bridge)

Half Bridge (adjacent)

Linear (Half Bridge (adjacent))

Linear (Half Bridge (adjacent))

Half Bridge (opposite)

Linear (Half Bridge (opposite))

Quarter

Linear (Quarter)

Graph 1

Sample Calculation:
Using equation (1) to calculate the calculated strain:

36
2.11 0.5 1

13.64

600

P a g e | 15

DISCUSSION
The results obtained shows observable differences when the types of connection of the bridge
changes. Though the stain recorded for all the 4 bridge are similar and close to each other, the
output voltage (Vo) varies from one to another.
The obtained data is used to plot output voltage vs load graph, and the graph is displayed as
Graph 1. Graph 1 shows that by using Full Bridge Connection gives out highest output
voltage compared to all the other configuration while Quarter Bridge Connection had the
lowest voltage output and Half Bridge Connection falls in between this two configuration.
To display the slope precisely, the gradient of each line is shown in Graph 1. All the gradient
obtained for all the connection was linear.

P a g e | 16

Experiment 2: The Bending System

PROCEDURE
1. Create a blank results table. If you are to use VDAS, select the 'Bending
System Experiment'. The software will create the table as you do the
experiment.
2. Use the Vernier instrument (supplied) to accurately measure the
dimensions of the specimen beam. Record your measurements into your
results table. If you are to use VDAS, enter the specimen dimensions into
the software.
3. Connect the bending system strain gauges to the strain display as a full bridge.
4. Carefully slide the knife-edge hanger onto the beam to the 420 mm position.
5. Leave the equipment to stabilize for approximately one minute, then press and
hold the 'zero' button until the display readings become 0 (zero).
6. Note the strain reading into your table. If you are to use VDAS, click on the
'Record Data Values' button.
7. Hook the small weight hanger to the knife-edge hanger.
8. The small weight hanger is 10 g. Add 4 x 10 g weights to the weight hanger to
give a total weight (load) of 50 g. Note the strain reading into your table. If you
are to use VDAS, adjust the value of the mass to 50 g.
9. In 50 g steps, add more weights to the weight hanger until you reach 500 g. At
each step, note the strain reading into your table. If you are to use VDAS,
remember to increase the value of the mass by 50 g at each increment.

P a g e | 17

DATA, OBSERVATION AND RESULTS

Table 5 the Bending System

Calculate
d Strain(

0
11.6
23.2
34.8
45.8
57.4
69
80.6
92.2
103.8
114.8

Measure
d Strain(

0
13
27
40
53
67
80
93
107
120
133

Percenta
ge Error
(%)
0
12.06
16.37
14.94
15.72
16.72
15.94
15.38
16.05
15.60
15.85

Table 6 Percentage Error between calculated and measured strain

P a g e | 18

Calculated Stress vs Displayed Strain

25
f(x) = 0.18x + 0.02

20
15

Stress

10
5
0

20

40

60

80

Strain

Graph 2

Sample Calculation:
Force:

= 0.05kg x 9.81 m/s2

= 0.49 N
Second moment of Inertia:

20 5 3

12
208.33 mm

100

120

140

P a g e | 19

DISCUSSION
The strain reading and calculated strain reading was combined to check for the percentage
difference, although the readings are not very deviated there calculated percentage error was
about 15.85% the most. The higher error occurred when the load was increased and the
highest error was when the load of 500g was placed.
Graph 2 was plotted calculated stress and displayed strain in order to obtain the Youngs
Modulus of the beam. From the gradient of the graph, it was noted that the Youngs Modulus
obtained is 178.5 GN/m2 and the actual modulus of the beam is 207 GN/m2. The percentage
of error is 13.5%.

P a g e | 20

Experiment 3: The Torsion System

Procedure 1 - To Use Shear and Torque Strain Gauges
1 Study the strain gauge pattern for the Torsion System. Note that the gauges
underneath the beam are identical to the gauges above the beam. However, note that
they are each a rosette of two gauges. Each gauge in the rosette will measure the
same amount of strain, but their polarity is inverted, as one measures compressive
twisting strain and the other measures tensile twisting strain.
2 Create a blank results table, to record the data. If you are to use VDAS, select the
'Torsion System Experiment'. The software will create the table as you do the
experiment.
3 Connect the blue strain gauge to the strain display as a quarter bridge. Adjust the
Strain Display to show the correct gauge factor and ACT = 1.
4 Screw the torque arm into the threaded hole at the end of the torsion system (see Figure
30).
5 Leave the equipment to stabilize for approximately one minute, then press and hold
the 'zero' button until the display readings become 0 (zero). If you are to use VDAS,
click on the 'Record Data Values' button.
6 Add a small weight hanger to the end of the torque arm (the end of the torque arm has
a smaller diameter part to accept the weight hanger hook).
7 The small weight hanger is 10 g. Add 49 x 10 g weights to the weight hanger to give
a total weight (load) of 500 g. Note the strain reading into your table and its polarity
(+ or -). If you are to use VDAS, adjust the value of the mass to 500 g and click on
the 'Record Data Values' button.
8 Remove the weights and repeat the experiment, but use the red, yellow and green gauges.
Procedure 2 - Compare Strains
1 Create a blank results table, similar to Table 5. If you are to use VDAS, start a new data
series and the software will create a new table for you.
2 Use the vernier instrument (supplied) to accurately measure the dimensions of the
specimen beam. Record your measurements into your results table. If you are to use
VDAS, enter the measurements into the software.
3 Connect the torsion system red and green gauges 'tensile twist' as opposites. Connect the
blue and yellow gauges 'compressive twist' as opposites to complete a full bridge.
4 Leave the equipment to stabilize for approximately one minute, then press and hold the
'zero' button until the display readings become 0 (zero).
5 Note the strain reading into your table. If you are to use VDAS, click on the 'Record
Data Values' button.

P a g e | 21

Add a small weight hanger to the end of the torque arm. The end of the torque arm has a
smaller diameter part to accept the weight hanger hook at a known length and torque
radius.
The small weight hanger is 10 g. Add 24 x 10 g weights to the weight hanger to give a
total weight (load) of 250 g. Note the strain reading into your table. If you are to use
VDAS, adjust the value of the mass to 250 g and click on the 'Record Data Values'
button.
Add more weights to the weight hanger until you reach 500 g. Note the strain reading
into your table. If you are to use VDAS, adjust the mass to 500 g and click on the
'Record Data Values' button

DATA, OBSERVATION AND RESULTS

Part 1

Table 7

Gauge Factor: 2.05

Strain
Gauge

Strain
Reading

Polarity
(+/-)

Blue

-24

Type of Strain
(Compressive/Ten
sile)
Compressive

Red

23

Tensile

Yellow

-23

Compressive

Green

23

Tensile

Table 8

P a g e | 22

Part 2

Table 9

Sample Calculation:

0.37 0.01
2 981.75E-12

= 1.88 MN/m2

1.88 M
79.6 G

=23.6E-6

DISCUSSION
In the first part of the experiment 3 we are observing the type of the strain experienced by the
rod. There are four gauge on the rod and when fixed in quarter configuration were able to
differentiate the polarity. The obtained strain value are similar with all the gauges measured
but the negative and positive value indicates weather it compressive twisting strain or tensile
twisting strain. From this understanding, were able to determine the gauges to be used for
the second part of the experiment.
In the second part of the experiment, the differences between theoretical and displayed stain
are small and the values are close to each other. The percentage of error is below 6% for each
of the values.

P a g e | 23

Experiment 4: The Tension System

Procedure 1 - Tensile Strains Only (Red and Yellow Gauges)

1 Create a blank results table to tabulate the data obtained. If you are to use VDAS,
select the 'Tension System Experiment'. The software will create the table as you do
the experiment.
2 Use the vernier instrument (supplied) to accurately measure the dimensions of the
specimen (its width and thickness). Record your measurements into your results
table. If you are to use VDAS, enter the measurements into the software.
3 Connect the red and yellow gauges of the Tension System to the Strain Display as a
half bridge (opposite). Set ACT = 2. Note that these gauges will only measure the
strain in the direction of the force.
4 Leave the equipment to stabilize for approximately one minute, then press and hold
the 'zero' button until the display readings become 0 (zero).
5 Note the strain reading into your table. If you are to use VDAS, click on the 'Record Data
Values' button.
6 Fit the large weight hanger to the bottom of the Tension System specimen. The large
weight hanger is 500 g. Add 0.5 kg to the weight hanger to give a total load of 1 kg. If
you are to use VDAS, adjust the value of the mass to 1 kg.
7 Note the strain reading into your table. If you are to use VDAS click on the 'Record Data
Values' button.
8 Add more weights in to the weight hanger in 1 kg steps, until you reach 10 kg. At each
step, note the strain reading into your table. If you are to use VDAS remember to increase
the value of the mass by 1 kg at each step and then click on the 'Record Data Values'
button.
Procedure 2 - Compressive Strains Only (Blue and Green Gauges)
1 Create a blank results table, to tabulate the data. If you are to use VDAS, start a new
data series. The software will create a new table for you.
2 Repeat Procedure 1 - Tensile Strains Only (Red and Yellow Gauges), but use the blue
and green gauges.
Procedure 3 - Full Bridge Tensile and Compressive Strain
1 Create a blank results table, similar to Table 8. If you are to use VDAS, start a new data
series. The software will create a new table for you.
2 Repeat Procedure 1 - Tensile Strains Only (Red and Yellow Gauges),but connect allfour
gauges as a full bridge. Set the configuration control so that ACT = N.

P a g e | 24

DATA, OBSERVATION AND RESULTS

Part 1

Table 10

Part 2

Table 11

P a g e | 25

Graph 3

Sample Calculation

1
=0.33
(2.99)

P a g e | 26

Part 3

Table 12

DISCUSSION
In part 1, half bridge configuration was used to measure the stain. The strain observed is
tensile strain, this was found through the polarity of the values obtained. The obtained value
has a close proximity with the real value of the strain.
In part 2, the gauges are replaced and the experiment was repeated again. The strain observed
is compressive strain, this was found through the polarity of the values obtained. The
obtained value has large deviation to the real value of the strain. After looking through the
data and concluding, the reason could be due to the wrong gauge made on the VDAS system
which gave fairly a large deviation from the theoretical reading. Using the data obtained to
plot a graph, taking the gradient of the graph which is -2.99. Substituting that values into
the formula to obtain Poissons Ratio, gives a values of v=0.33 which is found to be in close
proximity if coppers Poissons, =0.35 .
In part 3, using all four gauge gives us a more precise reading. Setting the Strain Display to
match your chosen strain gauge connections and their gauge factor. Supplied with the
equipment are special plugs with built-in high precision dummy resistors, for use when you
only measure one or two active arms (gauges).

P a g e | 27

CONCLUSION

Able to understand and use the Bending system to show the equation used by the strain
display and to show and compare different strain bridge connection and show the linearity of
strain measurement. The usage of the bending system together with the usage of VDAS
system was fully understood. Object under load bends and the compared values with the
theoretical gave a better understanding of objects under bending. By carrying out the torsion,
it was understood how to connect the gauges in the correct manner and obtain the date in
order to determine the type of the strain. By carrying out tension experiment, it was
understood to connect and use strain gauges to measure strains in two dimensions. Able to
compare the tensile strains and prove Poissons Ratio from the obtained data. VDAS system
played a major role and aided in the measuring and calculation part reducing the time and
easing the work load of an engineer.