Strain Gauge: Measurement and Instrumentation - Lab Report Example

The paper "Strain Gauge: Measurement and Instrumentation" is a great example of a lab report on engineering and construction. To there is a dire need for the designs to be stronger and lighter and tested in a thorough manner. This need leads to the emphasis on analyzing the subject of experimental stress and the methods that are used to measure strain. In this study, a strain gauge was attached to the bending beam. The objective of the experiment involves using the bending beam and the circuit bridge in the calibration of the strain gauge.

The curve is used in ascertaining the large connecting rod mass.  Apparatus The instruments and apparatus used in this study include sensor wire layout, voltmeter wire layout, sensor box, weight cradle, connecting wires, digital or analog reader, voltmeter, battery, switch, spring balance, as shown in diagram 1. Diagram 1: Apparatus Procedure The experiment was set up as shown is in diagram 2. The circuit was connected as shown in the diagram. The cables of connection were marked using their connection terminals like presented in the paper.

Diagram 2: Experimental setup. The meter was adjusted to zero without any weight on the arm. The weight was added and the record measured in each and every step. A graph was produced for load against the meter deflection. The whole process was repeated three times. The data were analyzed statistically and comments regarding the results made. The obtained data were used in the estimation of the connecting rod. Results The collected results were recorded in table 1 and table 2. Discussion and conclusion The obtained result shows the application of load and measurements of specific strain on an individual member of a machine or structure.

In this case, the relationship between the stress and strain ensures that the stress remains in the allowable limits for the used material. Once the load was applied, the body started to deform. In a general case, the deformation is referred to as a strain. This strain is typically measured using the strain gauge. The obtained strain is positive. The strain shown in the results is a fractional change, considered being directly measurable. This kind of strain is referred to as a normal strain (Husein, 2012).

The objectives that were set for this experiment were realized. The experimental values were similar to the theoretical reading with some slight variations. These variations were caused by the existence of experimental errors. Some of the experimental errors include interference by air resistance, parallax, the faultiness of the apparatus, and wrong calculations (Bobit, 2010). The experimental errors can be corrected by performing the experiment in a vacuum so as to avoid the air resistance interference, the experiment should be done at least three times and an average determined to avoid the errors due to parallax, and checking the apparatus to ascertain the efficiency of the apparatus before the start of the experiment.

This will help to minimize the experimental errors.