Design of Thrust Measurement System on Test Beds of a Gas Turbine Engine Using Strain Gauges

Abstract

Gas turbine engine test bed is a facility for ground testing of engines before installation in aircraft. Field test beds generally lack engine thrust measurement capability. A thrust measurement system for such an engine test bed has been designed using strain gauges keeping in view the limitation of major structural modifications. This technique does not require any structural modifications in the test bed hence making it easy and simple to apply. Strain measured with the help of half bridge strain gauge configuration is converted into stress. The stress is then converted into load on the test bed structure which is in fact the thrust force produced by the engine. Data from strain gauges is acquired using Arduino and results are validated analytically. This paper discusses the complete procedure of applying strain gauges on test bed and data acquisition of these gauges. It also includes the method of data acquisition of strain gauges through Arduino which is extremely cost effective as compared to other commercially available options.