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Description / Abstract:
The purpose of these test methods are to provide uniform test
methods for the determination of strain gage performance
characteristics. Suggested testing equipment designs are
included.
Test Methods E251 describes methods and procedures for
determining five strain gage parameters:
Strain gages are very sensitive devices with essentially
infinite resolution. Their response to strain, however, is low and
great care must be exercised in their use. The performance
characteristics identified by these test methods must be known to
an acceptable accuracy to obtain meaningful results in field
applications.
Strain gage resistance is used to balance instrumentation
circuits and to provide a reference value for measurements since
all data are related to a change in the gage resistance from a
known reference value.
Gage factor is the transfer function of a strain gage. It
relates resistance change in the gage and strain to which it is
subjected. Accuracy of strain gage data can be no better than the
precision of the gage factor.
Changes in gage factor as temperature varies also affect
accuracy although to a much lesser degree since variations are
usually small.
Transverse sensitivity is a measure of the strain gage's
response to strains perpendicular to its measurement axis. Although
transverse sensitivity is usually much less than 10 % of the gage
factor, large errors can occur if the value is not known with
reasonable precision.
Thermal output is the response of a strain gage to temperature
changes. Thermal output is an additive (not multiplicative) error.
Therefore, it can often be much larger than the gage output from
structural loading. To correct for these effects, thermal output
must be determined from gages bonded to specimens of the same
material on which the tests are to run, often to the test structure
itself. 1.4 Bonded resistance strain gages differ from
extensometers in that they measure average unit elongation (ΔL/L)
over a nominal gage length rather than total elongation between
definite gauge points. Practice E83 is not applicable to these
gages.
These test methods do not apply to transducers, such as load
cells and extensometers, that use bonded resistance strain gages as
sensing elements.
strain gages are part of a complex system that includes
structure, adhesive, gage, lead wires, instrumentation, and (often)
environmental protection. As a result, many things affect the
performance of strain gages, including user technique. A further
complication is that strain gages once installed normally cannot be
reinstalled in another location. Therefore, gage characteristics
can be stated only on a statistical basis.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.