PART-A University Question and answers

APRIL/MAY 2011
1. Write down the significance of measurements.
Measurement generally involves using an instrument as a physical means of
determining a quantity or variable. The significance of measurements are:
To standardise the fundamental quantity (length, mass, etc.)
To evaluate the correctness of the experiment
To compare the result of experiment with other
2.

What is meant by Transducer?

A transducer is a device, which converts phenomenon to be measured into a more
conveniently measureable quantity, which is directly proportional or analogous to the
phenomenon to be measured. The primary transducer converts the input signal into
displacement and the secondary transducer transforms the displacement into an
analogous voltage. (In general it converts physical quantity like pressure, force,
displacement, etc. to electrical quantity like voltage and current)

Transducers may be classified as follows :

1. Self-generating analog transducer.
2. Variable parameter analog transducer.
3. Frequency or pulse generating transducer.
4. Digital transducer.
3. Define Sensitivity of a gauge.
Sensitivity is the smallest value of strain which can he read on the scale associated
with the strain gauge. Sensitivity can be defined in two ways:


(i) Deformation sensitivity=

(ii) Strain sensitivity=

4. Define Index Ellipsoid.

An index ellipsoid is a diagram that depicts the orientation and relative magnitude of
refractive indices in a crystal. It is used to determine the direction of polarisation done
by any crystal. When all the index ellipsoid are equal the material is said to be isotropic
and it is biaxial if they are unequal.

5. What is the use of Polariscope?

A polariscope is an instrument used for ascertaining, measuring or exhibiting the
properties of polarised light. It is also used for studying the interaction of polarised light
with optically transparent media (photoelastic model).
6. Draw a neat sketch of Triangular Strain Rosette.
Triangular Strain Rosette is also known as delta rosette (or) equiangular rosette

7. What do you mean by Figure of Merit?

8. What is the difference between isoclinics and isochromatics?

Isoclinics
The fring patterns formed by the sin2 term
is called isoclincs.

Isochromatics
The fring patterns formed by the sin2(/2)
term is called isochromatics.

The isoclinics fringe patterns are used to

determine the principal stress direction in
the photo elastic model.

The isochromatics fringe patterns are used

to determine the principal stress difference
in the photo elastic model.

9. Write any two methods of non-destructive testing.

Methods of non-destructive testing:
Dye Penetrant Method
Magnetic Flux Method
Eddy Current Method
Ultrasonic Method
X-ray/Radiographic Technique
10. What is Brittle Coating?
The brittle coating or stress coat method is a qualitative whole field technique where a
brittle-lacquer is sprayed on the part to be analysed, dried overnight, then loaded in a static,
dynamic or impact mode. The brittle lacquer will crack perpendicular to the direction of
maximum principal stress first, in the most highly stressed area. As the load increases the
crack pattern enlarges as the coating the area of high stress becomes larger. By knowing
the stress in the coating and the stress in the specimen can be ascertained with 15% of
accuracy.

MAY/JUNE 2012
1. Define stress at a point.
The stress at a point is defined as the resistance force per unit area.
2. Write short notes on extensometers.
Extensometer is an instrument used to measure minute deformation of material while it is
subjected to a stress. Classification of the extensometers depending upon the magnification
systems:
1. Mechanical Extensometers
2. Optical extensometers
3. Acoustical (Vibrating wire) extensometers
4. Electrical extensometers
5. Pneumatic extensometers.
3. What are the factors considered for gauge selection?
Factors considered for the selection of a gauge are:
1. Readability
2. Ease of mounting
3. Required operator skill
4. Weight
5. Frequency response
6. Cost
4. How temperature compensation can be achieved using Wheatstone bridge circuit?
In a Wheatstone bridge the temperature compensation can be achieved by using two
gauges, one as active and other for temperature compensation. They will be connected in
such a way that dummy gauge will compensate for the temperature effects in active gauge.
Methods of temperature compensation are:
1. Compensating Dummy Gauge
2. Self-temperature Compensated Gauge.
3. Compensation by dissimilar Gauges.
4. Compensation by similar Gauges.
5. Compensation by Computation.
5. Define stress optic law.
Stress optic law is defined as the changes in the indices of the refraction were linearly
proportional to the loads and the relation between refractive indices and loads are given by
6. What is isoclinic?
Isoclinics are the loci of points along which the principal stresses have parallel
directions. Isoclincs are generally obtained in a plane polariscope with a bark setup by
using white light.
7. Write short notes on holography.
Holography is a technique that allows the light scattered from an object to be recorded
and reconstructed so that when an imaging system are human eye is placed in the
reconstructed beam. A 3-dimensional image of the object can be seen even when the object
is no longer present. The image changes as the viewing system changes.

8. What is the principle involved in Moire techniques?

The principle of the Moire technique involves in analysing the pattern of two
overlapping grids (model grid & master grid). When the material elongates, model grid
gets elongated and from the spacing of the master grid the strain can be measured.
9. Why do we need non-destructive testing?
The use of noninvasive techniques to determine the integrity of a material,
component/structure or quantitatively measure some characteristic of an object.
10. Write short notes on acoustic emission technique.
The acoustic Emission (AE) monitoring technique is a highly sensitive type of Non
DestructiveTechniquefordetectingavarietyofdefectsandeventhedynamicmovement
ofdefectslike,forexample,atypicalinitiationabouttheStateofHealthofthesystem
onlinei.e.,intherealtime.Thistechniquebasicallyinvolvestheanalysisofsoundsignals
emitted by the materials, structures or machines which are in use in the fully loaded
workingconditions.Further,thesesoundsignalsaretypicallyintherangeof0.10.4MHz
andarebeyondtherangeofhumanhearing.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012
1. Differentiate range from accuracy of measurements.
Range
Accuracy
Range represents the maximum strain
Accuracy is the closeness with which an
which can be recorded without resetting instrument reading approaches the
or replacing the strain gauge.
true value of the variable being measured
It is represented by minimum and the
maximum value that can be recorded
without resetting or replacing the strain
gauge.
Eg: 0-100 psi

It is represented as a % of error with

respect to the true value.
Eg: 50 psi 5 %

2. Define strain sensitivity of a gauge.

Strain sensitivity is defined as the resistance change (R) per unit of initial resistance
(R) per unit of applied axial strain (a). Strain sensitivity is denoted by Sa. By definition

3. List out the types of mechanical strain gauges.

Types of mechanical strain gauges are:
(a) Wedge and Screw
(b) Lever-simple and compound
(c) Rack and pinion
(d) Combination of lever and rack and pinion
(e) Dial indicators.
4. What are the limitations of an optical strain gauge?
The limitations of an optical strain gauge are:
Cannot be used for high temperature applications
Sensitive to pressure
costly
5. What is the use of Polariscope? (Refer APRIL/MAY 2011)
6. Draw a neat sketch of Triangular strain Rosette. (Refer APRIL/MAY 2011)
7.Define Isoclinics. (Refer MAY/JUNE 2012)
8.Differentiate temporary refraction from permanent refraction.
9.Define 'holography'. (Refer MAY/JUNE 2012)
10.What is the effect of relative humidity on strain-sensitivity of Brittle coatings?
The effect of relative humidity on strain-sensitivity of Brittle coatings is that it reduces
the accuracy of stress measurement. The humidity prevents the brittle lacquer from drying
completely which affects the measurement.