Wu Dan and Xu Hao Lun

Strain Gauge Technology

This is a self learning assignment.

There are 2 parts in it:
Part (1) of assignment: Research on the internet on Strain Gauge.
Follow the links below and read the contents of the web pages. You are encouraged to visit more websites to collect more information. Gather information that answers the questions listed in Part (2) below.

Visit at least the links below:

http://www.rdpe.com/ex/hiw-sgpt.htm

http://www.sensorland.com/HowPage002.html

http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/3642

http://www.blh.de/products/straingage.htm

http://straingage.com/strain_gage/what_strain.php

http://www.slopeindicator.com/instruments/sg-intro.html

http://www.omega.com/literature/transactions/volume3/strain.html

http://www.vishay.com/brands/measurements_group/guide/tn/tn504/504index.htm

Part (2) of assignment: Submit a HARDCOPY essay report to your Tutorial Lecturer before the deadline.
The report may be an individual report or a report by a group of TWO members. The members in the same group must be from the same Tutorial class.
Requirements of the report:

(I) Minimum number of points to cover in report:
1. What are strain gauges?
2. How does a strain gauge work?
3. What are the factors affecting accuracy of strain gauges?
4. What is Gauge Factor?
5. Give at least 5 examples of applications of strain gauges.
6. How are strain gauges attached to objects for measuring strains?
VW Spot-Weldable Strain Gauge
Designed to measure strain in steel, this vibrating wire strain gauge is spot-welded to the surface of the steel. A sensor is then fixed atop the gauge. Readings are obtained with a VW readout or with a data logger.
Advantages: Patented low-profile design reduces errors caused by bending. Spot welding, as opposed to arc-welding, has negligible effect on the steel. The gauge is pre-tensioned for easy installation, requires very little surface preparation, is very durable and economical, has a built-in