Structural Uncertainty Analysis of High-Temperature Strain Gauge Based on Monte Carlo Stochastic Finite Element Method

Abstract

The high-temperature strain gauge is a sensor for strain measurement in high-temperature environments. The measurement results often have a certain divergence, so the uncertainty of the high-temperature strain gauge system is analyzed theoretically. Firstly, in the conducted research, a deterministic finite element analysis of the temperature field of the strain gauge is carried out using MATLAB software. Then, the primary sub-model method is used to model the system; an equivalent thermal load and force are loaded onto the model. The thermal response of the grid wire is calculated by the finite element method (FEM). Thermal–mechanical coupling analysis is carried out by ANSYS, and the MATLAB program is verified. Finally, the stochastic finite element method (SFEM) combined with the Monte Carlo method (MCM) is used to analyze the effects of the physical parameters, geometric parameters, and load uncertainties on the thermal response of the grid wire. The results show that the difference of temperature and strain calculated by ANSYS and MATLAB is 1.34% and 0.64%, respectively. The calculation program is accurate and effective. The primary sub-model method is suitable for the finite element modeling of strain gauge systems, and the number of elements is reduced effectively. The stochastic uncertainty analysis of the thermal response on the grid wire of a high-temperature strain gauge provides a theoretical basis for the dispersion of the measurement results of the strain gauge.