CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING COURSES FOR STRAIN MEASUREMENTPERSONNEL

Examinations, which are all carried out by BSSM examiners, are held on a regular basis several times each year. The venues used have been chosen to suit candidates from a wide range of geographical locations. When there are several candidates from the same company an examination may be held on the company’s premises. All examination arrangements are handled by the Certification Committee which is responsible to the National Council of the Society (NATCO). Successful candidates are awarded a certificate that is valid for 5 years.

The scheme operates at three levels consistent with the European Standard EN473:2005, General Principles for Qualification and Certification of NDT Personnel. The entry level is appropriate for technicians who spend most of their time installing gauges to carefully

prepared instructions and who are normally concerned with only a limited range of applications. The top level is aligned to the activities of strain measurement engineers. The gap between these two levels is bridged by an intermediate certificate so that there is a smooth progression between levels.

Experience with the certification scheme over a period of more than 30 years has shown that certification:

l Demonstrates staff and organisational competence to external bodies

l Increases staff confidence

l Extends skills and understanding and consequently staff interest

l Enhances staff status within the company

Level 1The basic qualification for Technicians who install strain gauges (similar to NVQ2)

Level 2The qualification for strain gauge technicians with supervisory roles, who utilise strain gauges to make measurements (similar to NVQ3).

Level 3 (Diploma)The qualification for senior strain measurement personnel who specify strain gauge installations and who are responsible for the analysis of measurement data (similar to NVQ4)

The British Society for Strain Measurement (BSSM) runs a certification scheme to promote good practice in strain measurement, and to confirm the competence of a strain gauge user by awarding a formal qualification.

CERTIFICATION OF STRAIN MEASUREMENTPERSONNEL

For dates of courses please visit www.bssm.org/training

All candidates for examinations must have received appropriate training, had relevant experience, and must normally have satisfied the requirements set out in CSMP10:2005 (www.bssm.org). It is strongly recommended that they attend the pre-examination seminar, which is held around two weeks before each examination.

TRAINING COURSES FORSTRAIN MEASUREMENTPERSONNEL

Stress Analysis and Load Measurement using Resistance Strain Gauges The Stress Analysis and Load Measurement Course provides instruction on the siting of strain gauges and the choice of gauge systems; it covers strain measurement, the correction of measured data, the determination of stress and yield load, the use of full-bridge circuits, the principal features of common load cells and the refinement of the bridge circuit. The course uses lectures and hands-on experience to provide participants with a deeper understanding of strain measurement, in order to improve the accuracy of data they use in the determination of stress levels and critical loads in structural components, and to appreciate design features incorporated in devices used to measure load. Previous experience with strain gauges is essential.

Day 1

09.15 Registration and introduction Strain and strain measurement methods Quarter-bridge circuits: introduction and practice

12.15 Lunch13.00 Long-leadwire circuits: introduction and practice Quarter-bridge calibration: introduction and practice Correction of measured strains Strain variation with position and orientation Shear strain and principal strains16.45 End of Day

Day 2 09.00 Shear stress and normal stress from measured strain Yielding of components. Residual strain and stress Practical determination of stress and yield load

12.15 Lunch13.00 Full-bridge circuits: introduction and practice16.45 End of Day 2

Day 3 09.00 Circuit design for load measurement using a structural

component Bridge balancing and sensitivity adjustment Elimination of temperature-induced changes

12.15 Lunch13.00 Practical force measurement systems Load cell bodies Gauges, resistors, adhesives and protection for load cells

16.30 End of course

For dates of courses please visit www.bssm.org/training

The British Society for Strain Measurement runs training courses aimed at technicians who utilise strain gauges to make measurements and senior strain measurement personnel who specify strain gauge installations and are responsible for the analysis of measurement data.

Strain Analysis using Resistance Strain Gauges The Strain Analysis course provides an introduction to electrical resistance strain gauges and the associated circuits for strain measurement and transducer applications. It covers the installation of foil gauges using cyanoacrylate and epoxy adhesives, inspection of installations, the measurement of strain and load, and the use of rosettes to determine principal values. The course uses lectures, demonstrations and practical tasks to provide participants with a good understanding of electrical resistance strain gauges, the selection and use of gauges and circuits for strain measurement and transducer applications, the positioning of gauges, and the methods used to install and test gauges and circuits. Some previous strain gauge experience is desirable.

Day 109.15 Registration and introduction Linear strain. Variation of strain with position. Displacement

gauges and strain gauges. Bridge circuits for strain gauges used for strain measurement and transducers

12.15 Lunch13.00 Circuit practice Long-leadwire circuits: introduction and practice Quarter-bridge calibration introduction

16.45 End of Day 1

Day 209.00 Quarter-bridge calibration practice Foil strain gauge details Surface preparation procedure. Gauge bonding procedure for

cyanoacrylate adhesive

12.15 Lunch13.00 Bonding practice using cyanoacrylate adhesive. Visual

inspection. Documentation Gauge bonding procedures for epoxy adhesives Bonding practice using cold-curing epoxy adhesive

16.45 End of Day 2

Day 309.00 Quarter-bridge wiring introduction Wiring practice with open-faced and encapsulated gauges

12.15 Lunch13.00 Full-bridge wiring: introduction and practice Visual inspection. Resistance and out-of-balance

measurements. Documentation Protection: introduction and practice

16.45 End of Day 3

Day 409.00 Strain limit of gauge installations: introduction and

practice Calibration of the full-bridge installed on Day 3 Variation of strain with angular orientation. Principal strains

from rosette measurements Correction of measured strains

12.15 Lunch13.00 Stress. Young’s modulus. Calculation of stress from measured

strains. Multipoint strain measurement near a discontinuity.

Maximum strain and stress

16.30 End of course

Information and Registration Forms can be downloaded from: www.bssm.org/training

BSSM, 2 Craven Common, Uffington, Oxon, SN7 7RN Tel: +44 (0) 7756 915295 email: certification@bssm.org

Information Request

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Please indicate what you would like to receive information on:

Training

n Introductory Strain Gauge Courses and Workshops

n Strain Analysis Course

n Stress Analysis & Load Measurement Course

Certification

Level 1 n Pre-Exam Seminar n Exams

Level 2 n Pre-Exam Seminar n Exams

Level 3 n Pre-Exam Seminar n Exams

Introductory CoursesOne day workshops and two day courses covering basic bonding and wiring techniques are run by companies who are corporate members of the BSSM. Details can be obtained from the BSSM office. One day workshops or longer courses can, on request, be designed to meet particular requirements. These are suitable for both industrial and educational establishments that wish to acquire specialist knowledge and training in strain measurement.