Types of Strain Gauges
March 13, 2020
1) Linear strain gauges have one measuring grid and measure the strain in one direction. Only one direction of strain needs to be investigated.
2) Double linear strain gauges have two measuring grids arranged parallel to each other. Typical applications for these strain gauge load cells include taking measurements on bending beams, testing ship hulls and structural components, vehicle testing, construction, railroad applications, and aerospace applications.
3) Shear strain gauges (V-shaped) have 2 measuring grids arranged at a 90° degree offset from each other. Typical applications for these strain gauges include measurements on torsion bars and determining shear stresses as they occur in shear beams in the area of neutral fibers.
4) 90º strain gauges (T-rosettes) have 2 measuring grids arranged at a 90° degree offset from each other. Typical applications for this strain gauge type include analysis of a biaxial stress state with known principal directions as well as measurements on tension and compression bars.
5) Half-bridge strain gauges are specially developed for manufacturing precision load cells that employ the bending beam working principle. They are suitable for applications where the beam length is limited.
6) Full-bridge strain gauges have 4 measuring grids, which are arranged so that each is offset to the next at an angle of 90°. Typical applications for full-bridge strain gauges include measurements on tension/compression bars and determining shear stresses as they occur in shear beams.
7) Rosette strain gauges are comprised of three measuring grids arranged at an angle of 0°/45°/90° or 0°/60°/120°. Rosettes are an appropriate choice for analyzing the biaxial stress state with unknown principal directions.
