Tutorial 3: Measuring Strain Using a Wheatstone Bridge

Objective: Learn how a strain gauge bridge circuit converts strain into voltage.

Concept:
For small strains:
[
\frac{\Delta R}{R} = k \epsilon
]
Bridge output voltage:
[
V_o = \frac{V_{in}}{4} k \epsilon
]

Steps:

1. Wire the strain gauges into a Wheatstone bridge.

2. Apply excitation voltage (V_{in}).

3. Measure (V_o) using a di erential amplifier.

4. Compute strain (ε = \frac{4V_o}{kV_{in}}).

Example:
For (V_{in}=5 \text{V}), (k=2), and (V_o=2.5 \text{mV}), strain (ε = 1.0×10^{-3}).

Takeaway:
Bridge circuits provide precise, temperature-compensated strain measurements.