STRUCTURE MECHANICS

JOB # 8
Determination of principal strains and stresses using strain rosettes technique.

Purpose:
 To learn the use of strain rosettes.
 Verification of Flexure theory.
Apparatus
 Model beam (Extreme Fiber Stress = 250 MPa)(A-36 steel)
 Strain rosettes (cemented to beam,)
 Strain meter (gives direct strain reading)
 45volt DC battery
 Pressure cell and Hydraulic Jack.
 Vernier Caliper
 Measuring Tape.
 Connecting wires

Related Theory
Uni-axial Stress Strain System
If forces are acting in such a way that deformation is only in one direction and stress
produced due to theses strains is only in one direction than it will uni-axial stress strain system e.g.
compression or tension test.
Bi-axial Stress Strain System
When forces are acting in such a way that, shearing stresses and strains are also
developed along with tension or compression than this system of strain is called bi-axial stress strain
system.
Difference Between Principal Planes And Principal Axes
Principal planes are two dimensional surfaces on which shearing stresses are zero and
normal stresses have their extreme values. Principal planes changes with the loading conditions.
Principal axes are imaginary lines about which the moments of inertia have extreme
values and product moment of inertia is zero. These are the purely geometrical properties.
Principle Strains
Maximum and minimum values of normal strains are called principle strains.

( ) √( )( )
Є x −Є y 2 γ xy 2
Є x +Є y
Є 1= + +
2 2 2

( ) √( )( )
2 2
Є x +Є y Є x −Є y γ xy
Є 2= − +
2 2 2

M.INZAMAM UL HAQ 2010-CIV-50 SEC:A

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Principal Stresses
When the normal stresses achieve their extreme values as maximum and minimum
they are known as principle stresses.
OR
Extreme values of stresses which are possible at any point of an element of the
material. Maximum principle stress is called as major principle stress (1) and minimum principle
stress is called as minor principle stress (2).

) √(
❑x −❑ y 2
( )
❑x +❑ y 2
❑1= + + (❑xy )
2 2

) √(
2

( )
❑ +❑ y ❑x −❑ y
❑2= x − + ( ❑xy )2
2 2

Strain Rosetts

Introduction
It is a set of atleast 3-strain gauges in different 3-directions connected on the surface
of structural components to determine the complete state of strains.

A strain gage rosette is, by definition, an arrangement of three or more closely

positioned gage grids, separately oriented to measure the normal strains along different directions in
the underlying surface of the test part. Rosettes are designed to perform a very practical and
important function in experimental stress analysis. It can be shown that for the not-uncommon case
of the general biaxial stress state, with the principal directions unknown, three independent strain
measurements (in different directions) are required to determine the principal strains and stresses.
And even when the principal directions are known in advance, two independent strain
measurements are needed to obtain the principal strains and stresses.

Types of Strain Rossettes

To meet the foregoing requirements, the Micro-Measurements Division manufactures
three basic types of strain gage rosettes (each in a variety of forms).

( )( ) ( )
2 2
Є x +Є y Є x −Є y γ xy
Є θ= + cos 2θ+ sin 2 θ
2 2 2

M.INZAMAM UL HAQ 2010-CIV-50 SEC:A

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Rectangular (0-45-90 degree) (45 degree)

Three grids, with the second and third grids angularly displaced from the first grid by
45 degrees and 90 degrees, respectively.

( )( ) ( )
2 2
Є x +Є y Є x −Є y γ xy
Є θ= + cos 2θ+ sin 2 θ
2 2 2
θa = 0
θb = 45
θc = 90
Putting values in above equation of angle and solve it
Єa = Єx
γxy = 2Єb – Єx - Єy
Єc = Єy

Delta (0-60-120 degree)

Three grids, with the second and third grids 60 degrees and 120 degrees away,
respectively, from the first grid.

60-degree

Є θ=(Є x +Є y
2 )(
+
Є x −Є y 2
2 )
cos 2θ+
2 ( )
γ xy 2
sin 2 θ
θa = 0
θb = 60
θc = 120
Putting values in above equation of angle and solves it
Єa = Єx
2
γxy = (Єc – Єb)
√3
1
Єy = (2Єc + 2Єb - Єa)
3
120-degree

( )( ) ( )
2 2
Є x +Є y Є x −Є y γ xy
Є θ= + cos 2θ+ sin 2 θ
2 2 2
θa = 0
θb = 120
θc = 240
Putting values in above equation of angle and solves it
Єa = Єx

M.INZAMAM UL HAQ 2010-CIV-50 SEC:A

 STRUCTURE MECHANICS

2
γxy = (Єc – Єb)
√3
1
Єy = (2Єc + 2Єb - Єa)
3
Graphical Solutions
Graphical solutions for the measurement of principle strains using strain rosettes are
done by plotting a Mohr circle for strain rosette and measured strain values.

Procedure
 Measure the beam dimensions with the help of vernier calliper.
 Due to non availability of the strain rosettes we paste the strain gauges with the help
of glue at the required locations and note the location of the element.
 Complete the circuit by using wires and also attach the dummy strain gauge to the
circuit.
 Switch the strain meter on and check the setting of gauge factor and the voltage
applied to the circuit. Take zero loads reading for each gauge and proving ring.
 Apply the load in three equal increments over the range.
 Unload and check the gauge zeros. If large difference between initial and final zero
are detected then repeat the experiment of the gauges concerned.

Precautions
 Length of connecting wires for all gauges must b same.
 Position of all gauges must be observed carefully.
 Dummy gauge must b placed closed to the structural element (model beam)
 Observe the gauge reading until strain meter shows a constant reading.

Observations and calculations

M.INZAMAM UL HAQ 2010-CIV-50 SEC:A

 STRUCTURE MECHANICS

           
Loa Rosette
Roset b Rosette c θp γma
d a Єx Єy γxy Є1 Є2 θs
x
(Kg) SG µ SG µ SG µ
R Є R Є R Є
142 135 128
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
50 50 35 0
- - - - -
142 2 135 4 125 95.3 20.
110 25 45 28 27 330. 24. 425.
70 0 95 5 80 7 13
5 0 5 37 89 73
- -
142 1 135 133 22 23 20 269. 21.
200 5 5 34.6 23. 304.
65 5 55 00 0 0 5 69 18
9 84 38

loa
  Moment σx σy τxy σ1 σ2 θp Єx Єy
d
kg N N-mm MPa MPa MPa MPa MPa degree µ µ
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- - - -
110 1079.1 959276.7 0 1.942852 0.295224 36.65076 25
12.4906 12.7858 4.42286 62.4529
- - - -
200 1962 1744140 0 3.532457 0.53677 66.63775 45
22.7102 23.2469 4.42286 113.551

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Comparison of Experimentally and Theoreyical Values

Є1 Є2 θp γmax
Load The The Theo
(Kgs) Exp. o. % Diff. Exp. Theo. % Diff. Exp. o. % Diff. Exp. . % Diff
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- - -
95.3
38. 59.93 330. 64.01 80.62 20. 4.4 121.9 425. 102. 75.98
7
110 21 499 37 3 385 13 23 722 73 22 948
- - - -
269.
69. 74.24 34.6 116.3 235.5 21. 4.4 120.2 304. 185. 38.93
69
200 47 079 9 87 06 87 23 241 38 86 817

Comments

The experiment performed, was another approach by which we can use modern
methods for the calculation of strain at the site by installing the strain rosette at different positions. It
also facilitates to observe the strain in any structure element throughout its life, by just installing
once a strain gauge at its surface.
There was some difference b/w the experimental and theoretical values of the strain
which may be because of the following reasons
 The beam was not of uniform dimensions. There was much difference in the
dimensions at different location.
 It was much difficult to measure the exact location of the strain gauges at the beam.
 None of the strain rosette was working properly so we install the strain gauges which
were not present at the single element so the results are different from the actual one.

M.INZAMAM UL HAQ 2010-CIV-50 SEC:A

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 We use the pressure to load the beam, so the load applied may be different from the
actual load taken into consideration.
 The apparatus used was very old so the reading is not reliable as the apparatus was not
working properly.
 The difference between values of Mohr circle and Experimental value is not more
because Mohr circle was also drawn with experimental values.

M.INZAMAM UL HAQ 2010-CIV-50 SEC:A