Apparently the strain gauge system is wired up in a Wheatstone Bridge configuration, where two resistors are compressed and the other two are stretched.
how sensors work - load cells
He's been told to look at the
The Shear Beam Load Cell section in the above link for information - but apparently it's not explaining why the strain is largest at 45 degrees.
No lab results I'm afraid, he's been asked to briefly explain why the shear strain is largest at 45 degrees to the 'neutral axis'
Kelly