1.

Title Information:

CIVE #302
Lab #2: Wheatstone bridge for Strain Measurement
Date of Activity: Thursday, September 12, 2019
Due date: Tuesday, September 26, 2019

2. Purpose:

To determine the strains developed in a beam under the action of external loads through strain
gauges connected to Wheatstone bridge. A strain gauge is a wire whose resistance is known on
each interval of strains.

3. Equipment and materials:

Wheatstone bridge circuit as shown is usually used to determine the

resistance of an unknown resistor but here it is assembled in such a way
to determine the strain induced in beams. The circuit is made on a
breadboard using wires and resistors of already known resistances.
Other Equipment includes:
 B.L.H Strain Indicator
 Loads
 Cantilever Beam
 Strain Recorder Box

FIGURE 1: Experimental Setup (incl. Strain Indicator, Breadboard, Load, Beam)

4. Procedure:
First of all assemble a Datum (A datum is a fixed reference point for strain measurements). For the
said purpose B.L.H Strain indicator turn on the strain indicator box & switch the bridge selector to
two arms. Plug in 120 ohms, 2.08 gauge factor on branch 4.
Now plug in the tension gauge on branch 3 and adjust the strain measurement wheel to center the
needle. This is the DATUM.
After that start loading the beam, center the needle and record the readings. Repeat the same for
compression gauge. Three load cases were tested:

1. Point Load
2. Uniformly Distributed Load
3. Both Point Load & Uniformly Distributed Load

5. Data:

Case 1: Point Load at 20”:

Theoretical Strain: 182.07 µ in/in

Tension:
Datum=3350 µ in/in
With Load=3550 µ in/in
Strain=-200 µ in/in
Compression:
Datum=3585 µ in/in
With Load=3540µ in/in
Strain=185 µ in/in
Case 2: Distributed Load:
Theoretical Strain: 39.415 µ in/in

Tension:
Datum= 3330 µ in/in
With Load=3375 µ in/in
Strain=-45 µ in/in
Compression:
Datum= 3580 µ in/in
With Load=3540 µ in/in
Strain=40 µ in/in
Case 3: Point Load and distributed load:
Theoretical Strain: 221.48 µ in/in

Tension:
Datum=3330 µ in/in
With Load=3570 µ in/in
 Strain=-240 µ in/in
Compression:
Datum=3550 µ in/in
With Load=3320 µ in/in
Strain=230 µ in/in

6. Required Calculation:

Case 1 Tension % Error= (182.07-200)/182.07 *100 =9.85%

Case 1 Compression % Error= (182.07-185)/182.07 *100=1.61%

Case 2 Tension % Error= (39.415-45)/39.415 *100=14.2%

Case 2 Compression % Error= (39.415-40)/39.415 *100=1.50%

Case 3 Tension % Error= (221.48-240)/ 221.48 *100=8.36%

Case 3 Compression % Error= (221.48-230)/ 221.48*100=3.85%

7. Required Discussion :

The % difference of experimental values from theoretical values varies largely for tension zone
compared to compression source which may be attributed to non-uniform distribution of load or
nonaligned placement of tension strain gauges atop tension strain gauges. The largest deviation of
which was obtained for tension zone of Case 2(14.2%).

An inverse relationship is obtained between resistance and the current by comparing the calculated
and measured results which conforms also to the Ohms law I = V/R (keeping the Voltage constant).

To obtain a more detailed graph a full bridge comprising of 4 strain gauges is to be prioritized over a 2
gauge half bridge. The latter is preferred where a more speedy and easy analysis in needed.

8. References:

Dowell, R.K. and Johnson, T. 2013. CIV E 302 Lab Manual.

San Diego: San Diego State University

https://www.omega.com/en-us/resources/wheatstone-bridge

Hibbeler, Russell C. 2017. Mechanics of Materials 10th Ed. Boston:

Pearson Education, Inc.

https://www.ni.com/en-lb/innovations/white-papers/07/measuring-strain-with-strain-gages.html