Strain gauge performance during fatigue testing

Strain gauges are used extensively to measure the changes in magnitude and distribution of dynamic stresses during fatigue testing. Over 200 000 fatigue cycles at high strains (4000 ± 2000/u/m) have to be withstood under certain conditions such as when evaluating the performance of heavy vehicle springs. In this work, various types of commercial strain gauges have been evaluated to determine the most appropriate installation for severe applications.
The best results were obtained using a constantan metal foil element strain gauge with phenolic glass backing.
Tests on heavy vehicle, multi-leaf, Taperlite springs, manufactured by Tinsley Bridge Limited (formerly BSC Light Products), have demonstrated the suitability of the chosen system and showed that the dynamic stresses remained essentially constant during fatigue testing.