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Gage Selection Checklist


This checklist is provided as a convenient, rapid means for helping make certain that no critical requirement of the test profile which could affect gage selection is overlooked. It should be borne in mind in using the checklist that the "considerations" listed apply to relatively routine and conventional stress analysis situations, and do not embrace exotic applications involving nuclear radiation, intense magnetic fields, extreme centrifugal forces, and the like.

Step 1

Gage Length

 strain gradients
 area of maximum strain
 accuracy required
 static strain stability
 maximum elongation
 cyclic endurance
 heat dissipation
 space for installation
 ease of installation

Step 2

Gage Pattern

 strain gradients (in-plane and normal to surface)
 biaxiality of stress
 heat dissipation
 space for installation
 ease of installation
 gage resistance availability

Step 3

Gage Series

 application (static, dynamic, post-yield, etc.)
 type of strain measurement
 operating temperature
 test duration
 cyclic endurance
 accuracy required
 ease of installation

Step 4

Options

 type of measurement (static, dynamic, post-yield, etc.)
 installation environment - laboratory or field
 stability requirements
 soldering sensitivity of substrate (plastic, bone, etc.)
 space available for installation
 installation time constraints

Step 5

Gage Resistance

 heat dissipation
 leadwire desensitization
 signal-to-noise ratio

Step 6

S-T-C Number

 test specimen material
 operating temperature range
 accuracy required



Reference Table