Strain Gauges Based 3D Shape Monitoring of Beam Structures Using Finite Width Gauge Model

• Published in: Experimental techniques (Westport, Conn.) Vol. 43; no. 5; pp. 599 - 611
• Main Authors: Schaefer, P.-L., Barrier, G., Chagnon, G., Alonso, T., Moreau-Gaudry, A.
• Format: Journal Article Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.10.2019; Springer Nature B.V; Society for Experimental Mechanics
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Deformation; Materials Science; Mechanics; Mechanics of materials; Model accuracy; Physics; Reconstruction; Strain gauges; Strain measurement; Strain measurement; 3D reconstruction; Beam monitoring; Shape reconstruction; Strain sensor
• ISSN: 0732-8818; 1747-1567
• DOI: 10.1007/s40799-019-00312-4

This paper presents a new approach validated experimentally to reconstruct with strain gauges the deformed shape of a straight beam with circular cross section. It is based on a novel beam-specific strain gauge model that improves the strain measurement by taking into account the width of the gauges. These improved strain measurements are used by a 3D finite strain large displacement beam shape reconstruction method to recover the deformed shape iteratively. The whole reconstruction approach has been validated experimentally with 3D deformations of a beam instrumented with strain gauges. Results show that the strain gauge model developed improves reconstruction accuracy and that beam reconstruction can be achieved effectively.