The Secret Recipe for Weldable Sensors for Structural Health Monitoring

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is a catch phrase for monitoring of any infrastructure. SHM can be applied to bridges, buildings, dams, tunnels, wind turbines, industrial facilities, and even light poles. SHM systems provide accurate and near-real-time information regarding the performance and condition of structures. It will never replace visual inspection and human judgment, but if properly deployed, it can be used to keep a “remote eye” on critical structures. It helps minimize inspection cycles, alerts engineers to any changes, and aids in planning and designing maintenance activities. This increases safety, reduces uncertainty, and lowers operating expenses.

One of the most common SHM sensors in use today is the foil strain gage. Typically the smallest instrument on site, the foil strain gage, in both bondable and weldable form, is the cornerstone of many SHM systems. Bridge Diagnostics, Inc.’s (BDI) strain gage of choice for field applications is the Micro-Measurements weldable foil strain gage. Traditional adhesively bonded foil strain gages are extremely difficult to properly install in outdoor heavy civil environments. Micro-Measurements’ weldables minimize the potential for error and improve the survivability of these field-installed strain gages.

BDI has outlined “Tricks of the Trade,” keys to properly completing strain gage installations that the company has learned and been practicing for nearly 30 years of installing weldables. Click here to read the full Case Study: The Secret Recipe for Weldable Sensors for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)

Click here to read the full Case Study: The Secret Recipe for Weldable Sensors for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)