Two-Component Force-Balance

This note describes a simple two-component balance, designed, fabricated, and used by the writers to measure the fluctuations in the horizontal and vertical components of water forces on a sector gate. Details of the two component balance are given. Static calibration curves for horizontal forces in two directions and for vertical forces are presented. The two-component balance described in this note can be used for simultaneous but separate measurement of two mutually perpendicular components of dynamic forces of low frequency and static forces. The capacity, sensitivity, and range of reliable frequencies can be suitably altered by altering the stiffness and mass of the system. The principle can be extended to three component balances also.