This link is about how measuring stress has changed over the
years to the present day. These strain gauges are use to measure
the amount of stress an airplane can handle until it fails. Before
strain gauges were invented, people would put sand or themselves on
the wing until it broke. "As you push up on a wing, our analysis
says it ought to deflect a certain amount, so we measure [with
strain gauges] the amount it actually deflects," says Mark Jenks.
Wings need to be strong in order to fly correctly. Testing the
amount of strain a material can take allows engineers to find the
strongest material for their planes. This application would best
fit into the Civil Engineering Branch The Sopwith Aviation Company
id one of the top airplane manufacturing companies in Britain.
Slide 3
I didnt know that before there were strain gauges, people used
sand to measure the stress level of an airplanes wing. The strain
gauge was invented in only 18 years. To me thats a very short time.
THEN NOW
Slide 4
In order to keep bridges in good condition, people have put
sensors on bridges to monitor the weak points of a bridge. Many
different types of sensors are put on various places on a bridge to
get different readings from the bridge. The sensors measure the
stress on the bridge so if it becomes abnormal someone can fix the
problem. Different sensors measure different things. Photonic
sensors measure the strain on bridge cables, thermistors measure
the temperature, and vibrating wire strain gauges measure
vibrations on the bridge. These sensors tell us if a bridge gets
weak at some points so that they can be fixed before the bridge can
break. This is most useful to civil engineers. This information
would be most useful for bridge maintenance companies
Slide 5
I found that using sensors on bridges to keep up maintenance
was a very smart idea. The Tsing Ma Bridge in Hong Kong has 350
sensors to measure it.Tsing Ma Bridge
Slide 6
Strain gauges are used to keep rails in good condition. These
strain gauges are put on the rails in a vertical, longitudinal, and
lateral positions to measure different forces. The gauges go on the
top, bottom, and sides of the rail. Just like the smart bridges,
these sensors are used to maintain good conditions to the rails.
The train goes over the rails and trigger the sensors. The data is
measured and appropriate action is taken to fix the rails if
needed. The gauges are important because it keeps the rail in good
condition. This would be used for civil engineering. This
information would be useful to railroad maintenance workers.
Slide 7
I didnt know it took so many sensors to measure only one side
of a rail. Not only do the sensor help people keep the rail in good
condition, it helps keep the rails from breaking by eliminates the
effects of any lateral bending that could reduce or exaggerate a
strain reading taken on only one side of the rail.
Slide 8
Wind tunnels are used on cars to measure streamline, measuring
air speed, and many other things. The strain gauges are connected
to the pipe. They give separate channels of information to provide
a range of measurements to include drag, lift and down-force for
each wheel. It makes measuring easier for engineers. Wind tunnels
can be used for mechanical engineering. Car testers would use this
to see problems on a car. Wind tunnels could be used for many
things, and you can get
Slide 9
Wind tunnels could be used for many things. You can get
different types of information from a wind tunnel depending on how
you use it.
Slide 10
Students in the University of California are trying to identify
what type of car is driving on the road using only a strain gauge.
The strain gauges are installed in a bridge deck to measure how
much strain is put on the sensor. A car will drive over the gauge
and apply strain. The more strain that is put on the sensor, the
bigger the vehicle. The purpose of the sensor is to find a pattern
of what types of areas use what cars to classify them, to monitor
traffic in different areas, and protect the privacy of
transportation users. Engineers who work with cars like mechanical
engineers would fit this experiment best. This information could be
useful to many people such as road companies and companies that
provide toll booths.
Slide 11
I think the overall concept of this experiment is amazing. I
like out it (the experiment) is used for many different things and
not just one concept. I also think its interesting that every
vehicle makes a different type of strain signal.
Slide 12
A strain gauge is attached to a dyno in order to measure torque
on an engine. A dyno is connected to a flywheel or crankshaft and a
strain gauge is attached to the frame of the dyno to measure the
torque. When the engine starts, the strain gauge measures the
spinning wheel and converts it to torque. The strain gauge makes it
much easier to measure torque. This is most useful to mechanical
engineering branch. Automotive companies could use this information
to find out more about their cars.
Slide 13
2 interesting things about dynos are 1. being able to use
several devices to achieve one certain measurement and 2. finding
out that strain gauges for many different things.
Slide 14
1. Smart Bridges 2. Auto Classifications 3. Then & Now:
Under Stress 4. Wind Tunnels 5. Rail forces 6. Dynos The smart
bridges article was my favorite way of using a strain gauge because
it showed how a strain gauge can be used in a very important way
and it stated that very clearly.