Stress Analysis and Load Measurement Course

All courses can be taken independently and taking an exam is optional.

The course provides instruction on the siting of strain gauges and the choice of gauge systems. It covers strain measurement, the correction of measured data, the determination of stress and yield load, the use of full-bridge circuits, the principal features of common load cells and the refinement of the bridge circuit. The course uses lectures and hands-on experience to provide participants with a deeper understanding of strain measurement, in order to improve the accuracy of data they use in the determination of stress levels and critical loads in structural components, and to appreciate design features incorporated in devices used to measure load.

Hands-on sessions form an important element of the course and it is therefore necessary to restrict the group size to about 10. Because places are limited, please complete the registration form with your details and preferred options. On receipt of your application, the Chair of the Certification Committee will contact you to confirm your registration or discuss with you the options of a future date. 

Programme

Day 1 

09.00 Registration and introduction 
Strain and strain measurement methods 
Quarter-bridge circuits: introduction and practice
12.15 Lunch
13.00 – 16.45 Long-leadwire circuits: introduction and practice  
Quarter-bridge calibration: introduction and practice 
Correction of measured strains 
Strain variation with position and orientation 
Shear strain and principal strains

Day 2 

09.00 Shear stress and normal stress from measured strain
Yielding of components
Residual strain and stress
Practical determination of stress and yield load. 
12.15 Lunch
13.00 – 16.45 Full-bridge circuits: introduction.  

Day 3 

09.00 Full-bridge circuits: practical application
Circuit design for load measurement using a structural component
12.15 Lunch
13.00 – 16.30 Bridge balancing and sensitivity adjustment
Elimination of temperature-induced changes

Day 4 

09.00 Practical force measurement systems
Load cell bodies
Gauges, resistors, adhesives and protection for load cells
12.15 Lunch and Finish

Venue Information

Sheffield, UK