An experimental investigation of the cross-sensitivity of resistance strain gauges

Abstract

A simple method for measuring the cross-sensitivity of resistance strain gauges has been devised and results are given for nine types of gauge. The apparatus consists of a wide stainless-steel sheet of initially large curvature to which gauges are bonded in both axial and transverse directions. A uniaxial strain field is obtained by closing the gap at the ends of the sheet and the ratio of the resistance changes in the two gauge directions gives the cross-sensitivity in terms of the axial sensitivity. The value of the cross-sensitivity is shown to depend upon the geometry of the gauge grid and the method of winding a wire-resistance gauge. Foil gauges are shown to possess a particularly low value of cross-sensitivity.