Experimental verification of optimal strain gage locations for the accurate determination of mode I stress intensity factors

The present work focuses on the experimental verification of optimal strain gage locations and their importance in accurate determination of mode I stress intensity factors (SIFs) using Dally and Sanford’s single strain gage technique (DS technique). The results of the present experimental study are also used to substantiate the efficacy of the methodology for determination of maximum permissible strain gage radial location rmax proposed earlier by the same authors for locating the optimal strain gage locations. Present results clearly demonstrate that highly accurate values of SIFs can be determined if the strain gages are placed at the optimal locations.