Queen’s University

MECH 215
Instrumentation and Measurement
Stress and Strain
Measurement - Introduction

Darko Matovic, Winter 2006

 What we will learn about:
!Wheatstone bridge !Measurement of torque
!Multiple gauges !Measurement of force
!Compensation !Measurement of temperature

Applications
Multiple Gauge Use

STRAIN MEASUREMENTS

Basics
Single Gage Use
!What is strain
Examples !Resistance Strain Gauge
!What is stress
!How do we apply them?
!Poisson’s Ratio
!How do we get a signal?
!Solid Mechanics
!Interpreting strain signals
!Stress strain link
 What is Strain?
• Textbook definition: Elongation per unit length
of a member subject to an applied force.
∆L

ε = ∆L / L Load

!Strain (ε) is non dimensional

!Can be positive or negative
!Direction must be defined
 What is Stress?
• Textbook definition: Internal forces per unit
area. These internal forces maintain in
equilibrium the applied external forces.

Load

Internal Load
stress

• Unit of stress (σ) : Pa or psi

 Where would engineers care
about stress and strain?

• Understanding the duty load carrying

components

• Transducer Construction
– Using a working piece under load to
measure a third property
 Loads

• Engineering design
• Engineering analysis
• Experimentation
• Measurement
• Product development
• Product optimization
Load Carrying Components and
Structures Cranes

Pressure Vessels

Shafts
 Strain Gauge Based
Transducers

• Pressure
• Load Cells
– Ex. Proving Ring
• Torque transducer
 The link from Load to Strain
Force; Torque; Pressure; Vibrations….

Cause stress We can’t measure this!

Stress causes strain We can measure this!

Is there a known relationship between stress and strain?

The link between Stress and Strain
• Stress and strain are
connected. σ

• in elastic region:

σx
εx =
Ε
where:
ε x = strain in x direction
σ x = stress in x direction ε
E = Young's Modulus
Load (Force, Torque...) → Stress → Strain
→ Resistance Change → Signal
force; torque; pressure; vibrations ...
Link 1:
cause stress
Link 2:
stress causes strain
Link 3:
Strain creates Resistance change
Link 4:

Resistance change creates Signal

 Link1: Load ←→ Stress
Uniaxial Extension/Compression
B

F F
x B

B
F
F σ axial =
B
A
Where A= area
• Example: A truss of cross section
• Uniaxial state of stress
• Load is from external
force
 Link2: Stress ←→ Strain
Uniaxial Extension/Compression
∆L
Axial Strain εx =
L ∆L L
∆D
F F
Lateral Strain εD =
D
σ
x
εx = x
D ∆D/2 E
σ x
An axial stress will
−ν σ
produce both axial and εD = x

lateral strain! E
−ε D − Lateral Strain
ν= =
Poisson’s Ratio (greek “nu”): εx Axial Strain
 Link1: Load ←→ Stress
Uniaxial Bending
Example: A Cantilever Beam Subject to Bending

± Fx ( h / 2 ) ± Fx ( h / 2 )
σ x ,± h / 2 ( x ) = =
I ( /12 )
wh 3

σ x ,± h / 2 is an axial stress
at the upper/lower
surface.
 Link1: Load ←→ Stress
Biaxial Stress Case
y (axial direction)

X (hoop direction)
• Example: A pressure Vessel
• Biaxial Stress Case P⋅ r
σ hoop = 2σ axial =
• Load is from pressure t
 Biaxial Stress Case
Link2: Stress ←→ Strain
Stresses σx

σy σyvσ x
εy =
−νσ x εy =
E
εy = −
E E E
Corres-
ponding
strains

σx −vσ y σx vσ y
εx = εx = εx = −
E E E E
 Link2: Stress ←→ Strain
Biaxial Stress Case
σx σy
σx εx = −ν
E E
σy σx
σy εy = −ν
E E
Rearranged, we can use our strains to figure out stresses

E ( ε y +νε x ) E ( ε x +νε y )
σy = σx =
1 −ν 2
1 −ν 2