Rod in tension (25 pts) In a suspension bridge, cables are hung vertically to support the bridge deck. You are working on such a bridge and have to instrument one cable with 1 strain gage to measure the vibrations in the bridge. By sign convention, you select that the voltage of your 1/4 Wheatstone bridge is positive if the strain is positive (cable is in tension). Assume you have a standard Wheatstone bridge as seen in class.

(a) On which branch of the Wheatstone bridge will you connect the strain gage?

(b) You wish to increase the sensitivity of your measurement, by using a 1/2 Wheatstone bridge. Where will you connect the second strain gage in the Wheatstone bridge and how would you mount it on your cable?

(c) Could you build a full Wheatstone bridge to monitor the cable? Explain why.

(d) Could you still use 4 strain gages to increase your sensitivity? Draw how you would mount them on the cable and connect them on your Wheatstone bridge.