VW Strain Gauges

Applications

Strain Gauges for Steel: Weldable strain gauges measure strain in steel. Typical applications include:

• Monitoring stresses in structural members of buildings, bridges, tunnel linings and supports during and after construction.
• Monitoring the performance of wall anchors and other post-tensioned support systems.
• Monitoring loads in strutting systems for deep excavations.
• Measuring strain in tunnel linings and supports.
• Monitoring areas of concentrated stress in pipelines.
• Monitoring distribution of load in pile tests.

Strain Gauges for Concrete: Embedment strain gauges measure strain in concrete. Typical applications include:

• Measuring strains in reinforced concrete and mass concrete.
• Measuring curing strains.
• Monitoring for changes in load.
• Measuring strain in tunnel linings and supports.

Types of Strain Gauges

VW Spot-Weldable Strain Gauge

Designed to measure strain in steel, this vibrating wire strain gauge is spot-welded to the surface of the steel. A sensor is then fixed atop the gauge. Readings are obtained with a VW readout or with a data logger.

Advantages: Patented low-profile design reduces errors caused by bending. Spot welding, as opposed to arc-welding, has negligible effect on the steel. The gauge is pre-tensioned for easy installation, requires very little surface preparation, is very durable and economical, has a built-in temperature sensor, and intrinsically reliable VW signal transmission.

Limitations: Requires spot-welder, not suitable for high-speed dynamic measurements.

VW Arc-Weldable Strain Gauge

Designed to measure strain in steel, this vibrating wire strain gauge is held to the structure by mounting blocks are are arc-welded to the structure. Groutable mounting blocks are available for concrete structures. Readings are obtained with a VW readout or data logger.

Advantages: Wire tension can be adjusted to maximize available range, requires very little surface preparation, can be repositioned easily, very durable, reliable VW signal transmission, built-in temperature sensor.

Limitations: Higher profile than spot-weldable gauge, arc-welding not suitable for certain applications, not suitable for high-speed dynamic measurements.

VW Embedment Strain Gauge

Designed to measure strain in reinforced concrete or mass concrete, this vibrating wire strain gauge is typically tied to a reinforcing cage. Readings are obtained with a VW readout or data logger.

Advantages: Provides good conformance and minimizes inclusion effects, has built-in temperature sensor and intrinsically reliable VW signal transmission.