ALLPCB
Overview
A vibrating-wire strain gauge is a precision sensor commonly used in structural safety monitoring. It measures the strain state of structures and related parameters, using established measurement principles and a robust mechanical design to provide data for structural safety assessment.
Strain Measurement
The primary function of the vibrating-wire strain gauge is to measure structural strain. When a structure deforms, the device converts that deformation into a change in the vibration frequency of an internal wire. By measuring changes in a frequency modulus (F = Hz^2 × 10^-3), the instrument can calculate microstrain precisely, with a sensitivity on the order of 0.5 microstrain. This enables early detection of deformation in materials such as concrete and geotechnical media, providing data for structural safety warnings.
Temperature Monitoring and Compensation
In addition to strain, the vibrating-wire strain gauge can monitor temperature at the measurement point. The instrument includes a temperature sensor with a measurement range from -40°C to +80°C and an accuracy of ±0.5°C. Temperature data are used for compensation, reducing apparent strain errors caused by temperature fluctuations.
Stress Calculation
Measured strain can be converted to stress by combining the recorded strain with the elastic modulus of the structural material. This allows calculation of the actual stress experienced by the structure, which is useful for assessing structural safety and validating design assumptions.
Parameter Identification and Traceability
Each instrument contains an embedded chip that stores identification and calibration data, including serial number, calibration coefficients, and temperature correction coefficients. This enables automatic device identification during field measurement, supporting data accuracy and traceability.
Applications
The vibrating-wire strain gauge is suitable for various engineering scenarios. It can be used alone to measure strain in concrete and bedrock, or combined with accessories to form multi-directional strain gauge arrays and stress-free gauge systems. Typical applications include dams, bridges, tunnels, and slopes, where long-term, stable monitoring of stress and strain evolution is required for construction and maintenance activities.
Technical Characteristics
With multi-parameter measurement capability, high precision, and long-term stability, the vibrating-wire strain gauge provides accurate strain, temperature, and stress data that support objective assessment of structural behavior and safety.
