RELIABILITY OF STRAIN GAUGES AND LOAD CELLS FOR GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS

Strain gauges and load cells are often used to measure strain and load in concrete or steel components of geotechnical structures. Reliability problems are frequently cited for these instruments. The purposes of this paper are (a) to discuss the factors that affect the reliability of strain gauges and load cells used for geotechnical engineering applications, (b) to suggest the instrument types that have historically performed most reliably and are therefore preferred by some engineers, (c) to indicate which instruments should prove to be the best choice for future projects, and (d) to establish realistic survivability rates to be used in planning instrumentation programs. These objectives were accomplished by searching published literature and by surveying the opinions of more than 40 knowledgeable geotechnical engineers. The results of the survey as well as published information have been compiled and are included in the paper. The primary considerations for instrument reliability are instrument characteristics and selection. Other considerations include proper planning of the instrumentation program, ability of the instrument to perform the intended function, and field installation and handling techniques. Vibrating wire strain gauges are generally preferred for reliable strain measurement. Electrical resistance strain gauged load cells are generally preferred for reliable load measurement. Planning of an instrumentation program should anticipate the probability that one-quarter to one-half of the instruments may not survive installation or the period of monitoring.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1985/1004/1004-004.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=RELIABILITY+OF+STRAIN+GAUGES+AND+LOAD+CELLS+FOR+GEOTECHNICAL+ENGINEERING+APPLICATIONS&author=L.+Abramson&author=G.+Green&publication_year=1985
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  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309038146
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Soils and Rock Instrumentation. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Abramson, Lee W
  • Green, Gordon E
• Publication Date: 1985

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 13-19
• Monograph Title: Reliability of geotechnical instrumentation
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1004
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Earth pressure; Geotechnical engineering; Load cells; Reliability; Service life; Strain gages; Strain measurement; Structural engineering; Texture
• Subject Areas: Construction; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00452493
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309038146
• Contract Numbers: UMTA-MA-06-0049
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 30 1988 12:00AM