Strain-gage technique for measuring internal strains in artificial solids

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental technique for measuring internal strains of loaded artificial solids by means of single-strand, strain-gage wires. Specifically, in the present investigation, strain-gage wires were embedded lengthwise within rectangular prisms which were made of either pure-epoxy resin or silica crystals in an epoxy-resin matrix. Several prisms of both types were compressed longitudinally or loaded as simply supported beams. Experimentally measured unidirectional internal strains are compared with theoretically expected values, and agreement between experiment and theory is good. Thus, the validity of this new technique is demonstrated.