A strain gauge is a device that is used to measure the strain, or deformation, of a material. It is commonly used in structural health monitoring to measure the changes in the shape or size of a structure as it is subjected to different types of loads, such as wind, earthquakes, traffic or other mechanical forces.
There are many different types of strain gauges that can be used in structural health monitoring, each with its own unique characteristics and capabilities. Some strain gauges are designed to be integrated in products and other sensors, some are rugged with steel incasing to be installed on structures.
Strain gauges are often used by attaching them to the surface of a structure in strategic locations. These sensors can then measure the strain on the structure and transmit this information back to engineers, who can analyze the data and determine the best course of action to address any problems.
Overall, strain gauges are an important tool in structural health monitoring because they can provide valuable information about the deformation of a structure and help engineers identify potential problems before they become serious, ensuring the safety and reliability of the structures they are responsible for maintaining.
Some of the most commen strain gauge types in structural health monitoring are glued on foil strain gauges used for dynamic measuremens and vibrating wire strain gauges used for static measurements over long time intervals.
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