Finite Element Modelling and Experimental Validation of Strain Gauge Pasted Over the Surface of a Substrate Subjected to a Transverse Load

Abstract

The strain measurement is important as it directly involves with the deformation of a structure in the field of engineering. Strain is a measure of change in shape that occurs when an external load is applied to an engineering assembly. The evaluation of the strain is used to determine the amount of extension or deformation a structure experiences under different loading conditions. Strain gauges are electrical resistance sensors bonded at critical locations on the surface of structural components to detect surface deformation. Strain gauges are frequently used to continuously check for deformations to avoid accidents that can occur in nuclear power plants, aerospace vehicles, mechanical components, and structures. Strain gauges applied directly to the specimen are partially affected by the bonding material and thickness when tested. Present work intends to study the effect of adhesive thickness on strain values. Adhesives are used to paste strain gauges over the surface of the specimen. Three-Dimensional analysis of the strain gauge model has been carried out with the aid of the Finite element software. Experiments were conducted to study the effect of adhesive thickness by varying the thickness of the adhesive from 0.1 to 1 mm by pasting strain gauge over the surface of the Aluminium specimen of length 230 mm, width of 30 mm, and thickness of 6 mm. The strain values obtained from the finite element analysis were compared with the strain values obtained from the experiments. Finite element analysis results were found to be in good correlation with the experimental results. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.