Strain gages in a wind tunnel application

An original balance for aircraft models being tested in a supersonic wind tunnel is shown in the figure. The axial force is measured by four short lateral arms close to the middle of the balance interior. The other five components are measured in two symmetrical sections each consisting of a casing with three beams. This complicated structure was developed with the aid of Finite Element Analysis; the loads from 722 isoparametric elements and the displacement of 1,536 nodes were calculated by computer.

The elastic tail of the balance was manufactured to the highest possible accuracy by electroerosion from a single piece of ARMCO17-4 PH and metallurgically treated to ensure a permissible tensile strength in excess of 400 MPa (N/mm 2 ). It is 353 mm long and 50.8 mm in diameter.

In view of two conflicting requirements, the choice went to HBK's Y series foil strain gages with standard resistances as follows: 120 Ω in view of space restrictions; 350 Ω in view of the total power supply (not exceeding 5 V) of the six Wheatstone bridges with four or eight active strain gages.

Complex mechanical and electrical analysis was carried out in relation to the optimum method of attaching and connecting the strain gages to the wind tunnel balance in order to increase sensitivity and compensate for disturbing influences. HBK's transparent covering material SG 250 was used for additional protection.

Initial tests on the stability and sensitivity of the strain gages were carried out by HBK using a simple version of the KWS-6T/5 multichannel measurement amplifier which, despite its age, still functions perfectly.

The balance was then connected over a standard interface to the HBK data acquisition system on the trisonic wind tunnel.

This integral solution offers the best relation between capacity and volume, since the interplay between forces and/or moments is accurately specified by calibration. Maximum operating loads are as follows for the individual components:

Forces:

• axial X = 2,850 N
• lateral Y = 9,650 N
• normal Z = 14,700 N

Moments:

• Roll l = 320 Nm
• Pitch m = 820 Nm
• Yaw n = 760 Nm

Dr.-Ing. Dan-Mihai Stefanescu is Head of the Metrology and Instrumentation Department at the Romanian Institute for Aerospace Research "Elie Carafoli" in Bucharest, an extraordinary member of the VDE and Romanian representative for IMEKO TC-3 (Force, Mass and Torque Measurement).