UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT: SM33-09-20

PROVING RING

OBJECT

To compare the experimental and theoretical values of deflection and surface strain on a loaded
proving ring

APPARATUS

Proving Ring Apparatus

Adapted by School of Engineering, UTech, from a demonstration unit by TecQuipment, UK.

The steel proving ring is firmly clamped to a bracket, which is bolted to a vertical support member,
which in turn is bolted to a heavy metal base with 4 levelling screws. Loads are applied along a
vertical diameter from a load platform and shaft via a pin which bears directly against the upper
surface of the ring. In the storage position a wooden spacer, placed under the load platform flange,
serves to remove all load from the proving ring.
A dial guage indicator, clamped to the bracket, is used to measure the deflection, or reduction in the
vertical diameter, produced by a load. One division on the dial guage represents a deflection of 0.01
mm.

Four strain guages are mounted on the inner and outer surfaces of the ring, along a horizontal
diameter. The two guages mounted on the outer convex surfaces (identified as #1 and #4) are
subjected to tensile strains, and the other two mounted on the inner concave surfaces (identified as
#2 and #3) are subjected to compressive strains. The proving ring is coated with marine varnish as a
protection against corrosion.

Dimensions

Mean diameter of proving ring = 98.0 mm

Thickness of proving ring = 2.85 mm
Depth of proving ring = 19.05 mm
Mass of load platform = 1.17 kg [2.58 lb]

Strain Gauges
Type EA-06-500BH-120 by Micro-Measurements Division, Measurements Group, Inc.
Constantan alloy strain gauge, with flexible polymide film backing. Gauge length = 12.7 mm,
Resistance = 120 Ohm, Gauge Factor = 2.04.

Strain Measurement

Wiring Arrangement:
Gauges #1 and 4 are placed in tension, and gauges #2 and 3 in compression, when the proving ring
is loaded.
 SM33-09-20
The guages are wired for a full bridge connection to the strain bridge, hence the bridge will indicate
4 times the strain on a single guage:

Fig.1

Strain Bridge:
Either E10 Mk.II Strain Bridge, TecQuipment Ltd, England
or P-3500 Strain Indicator, Measurements Group, Inc, USA
or similar.

Also Required: Torpedo spirit level, 1 kg or 2 lb weights for load platform

THEORY

The student is advised to refer to a suitable text(s) on Mechanics of Solids or Strength of Materials for a
treatment of strain energy methods and curved bars theory.
Information on strain gauge technology may be found at http://www.vishay.com
If a vertical load W is applied to a ring of mean radius R it will deform to the shape represented by
the dotted lines in Fig. 2.

Source: Mechanics of Engineering Materials – 2nd Ed., Benham et al

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 SM33-09-20

Fig. 2

Consider the quadrant from A to B, as shown in Fig. 3.

Source: Mechanics of Engineering Materials – 2nd Ed., Benham et al

Fig. 3
WR
The bending moment at any point C is given by, M = M o − 2 (1 − cos ) , where Mo is the
bending moment on the cross section at B.
M2
The strain energy in bending is given by, U =  ds .
2 EI
 /2 1 WR
Hence, the strain energy stored in the complete ring, U = 40 2 EI
[M o −
2
(1 − cos )]2 Rd
R π/2
2EI ∫
= o
[ 2M o− WR( 1− cosθ) ]2 dθ
The rotation produced by Mo is given by,
∂U R π/2

∂ M o 2 EI ∫
= o
4[ 2M o− WR(1− cosθ)]dθ

Due to symmetry it will be seen that at point B, where θ = 0, the rotation must be zero.
 /2
 [2 M o + WR cos − WR ]d = 0
0

[ 2M o + WR sin  − WR ]0 / 2 = 0

2M o / 2 + WR − WR / 2 = 0
1 1
M o = WR −  [1]
2  

U R  /2
The deflection due to load W,  = W = 2 EI 0
2[2M o − WR (1 − cos )](1 − cos ) Rd

R2  /2
=
2 EI 
0
[4 M o − 4 M o cos − 2WR + 4WR cos − WR (1 + cos 2 )]d

R2
= [2M o + 4M o − WR + 4WR − WR( / 2) − (WR / 2)(0)]
2 EI

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 SM33-09-20
Substituting for Mo using equation [1]:
WR 3   2 
 =  −  [2]
EI  4  
 M
The bending equation, y = I , can be applied to calculate the stress, and associated strain, on the
ring cross section at B.

PROCEDURE

1. Level the base of the unit with the aid of the small torpedo spirit level. Check that the wooden
spacer is in position below the load platform flange.

2. Either With the TecQuipment E10 Mk II Strain Bridge.

Switch on the bridge and allow it to warm up for five minutes before taking any readings.
Set the gauge factor of the strain bridge to that of the installed strain gauges (Gf = 2.04) by turning
the gauge factor adjustment knob at the back of the unit.
Set the bridge for full-bridge operation.

Connect the red lead-wire to the left side Vbr terminal of the bridge.
Connect the black lead-wire to the right side Vbr terminal.
Connect the white lead-wire to the B+ terminal.
Connect the green lead-wire to the B- terminal.

Or With the Measurements Group P-3500 Strain Indicator.

The procedure is very similar to the above. Follow the instructions printed on the underside of the
cover.
Connect the red lead-wire to the P+ terminal of the bridge.
Connect the black lead-wire to the P− terminal.
Connect the white lead-wire to the S+ terminal.
Connect the green lead-wire to the S- terminal.

3. Zero the bridge display by rotating the coarse (or fine, as needed) balancing knob(s) on the strain
bridge. Proper zero is attained when the positive and negative symbols to the left of the display
alternate at zero output displayed. The strain bridge is now ready to detect changes in strain. The
values displayed by the bridge are in micro-strain, and are 4 times the strain on each strain guage.
Also, zero the dial indicator.

4. Remove the wooden spacer from below the load platform and gently lower its weight unto the
proving ring.
Record both the dial guage and strain bridge readings. It should be possible to read the dial guage to
the nearest 0.2 division.
Add loads in increments of 1 kg (or 2 lb) up to a maximum of about 10 kg (20 lb), recording
deflection and strain bridge readings at each load.

Also take readings as the load is reduced back to zero.

Replace the wooden spacer below the load platform.

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 SM33-09-20
RESULTS
Record data as follows:
Added Total Load, Deflection, δ (divs) Strain bridge reading (µε) Strain
weights W (µε)
kg(lb) kg(lb) N Up Down Ave. Up Down Ave.
0

TREATMENT OF DATA

a. Plot graphs of load W versus deflection δ and load versus strain.

b. Select a suitable load and obtain the corresponding deflection and surface strain from the
graphs.
c. Apply equation [2] to calculate the theoretical value of the deflection corresponding to the
load selected at (b) above.
d. Use equation [1] to calculate the bending moment at position B (see Figure 3) due to this
selected load. Hence, determine the theoretical surface strain at position B.

Suggested constants:
Local value of g at UTech = 9.784 m/s2.
Elastic modulus for steel, E = 207 GPa

DISCUSSION

Here are some suggestions:

- Comment on the load vs deflection and load vs surface strain graphs.
- How well do the experimental values of ring deflection and surface strain compare with the
theoretical values?
- Any possible sources of error in measurements or calculations?

B. Silvera September 2020