We Stand Below Our Work
Strain Transducer for Structural Testing
Description
The most direct approach to quantifying live-load stresses in a structural member is to record the induced strains. However, it can be tedious work to install foil strain gages in the field since careful surface preparation and soldering is often required. Now, most field strain gage installations can be replaced with the highly accurate BDI Strain Transducer. These units are rugged and can be installed in any weather. Since they are pre-wired and easy to mount, BDI Strain Transducers will drastically reduce your field installation time!
- Many Applications: Used for recording strains on highway bridges, railroad bridges, lock gates, amusement park rides, and other structures in which a short-term live-load can be easily applied.
- Easy Installation: Attaches to steel, pre-stressed and reinforced concrete, and timber members in 5 minutes. Instrument and test the structure with 64 strain channels in one day!
- High Output: Provides provides between 3 and 4 times the output as a typical quarter-arm foil gage installation. This improved signal-to-noise ratio means higher-resolution measurements.
- Excellent Compatibility: The BDI Strain Transducers can be used with most data acquisition systems that support full-bridge type sensors, or with our specially-designed BDI Structural Testing System (BDI-STS).
- Very Cost-Effective: Due to their complete re-usability and the extensive reduction in installation time, the BDI Strain Transducers will pay for themselves with just a few uses.
- Field Proven: These sensors have been used over the last two decades for recording millions of strain measurements on all types of structures, often in harsh field conditions.
BDI Strain Transducer Specifications
| Effective gage length: | 3.0 in (76.2 mm). Extensions available for use on R/C structures. |
| Overall Size: | 4.375 in x 1.25 in x 0.5 in (111 mm x 32 mm x 13 mm). |
| Cable Length: | 10 ft (3 m) standard, any length available. |
| Material: | Aluminum |
| Circuit: | Full wheatstone bridge with 4 active "350W" foil gages, 4-wire hookup. |
| Accuracy: | ± 2%, individually calibrated to NIST standards. |
| Strain Range: | Aluminum: ±2000 µ€. |
| Force required for 1000 µ€: | Approximately 17 lbs. (76 N). |
| Sensitivity: | Approximately 500 µ€/mV/V. |
| Weight: | Aluminum: 3 oz. (85 g) |
| Environmental: | Built-in protective cover, also water resistant. |
| Temperature Range: | -60°F to 250°F (-50°C to 120°C ) operation range. |
| Cable: | BDI RC-187: 22 gage, two individually-shielded pairs w/drain. |
| Options: | Fully waterproofed, Heavy-duty cable, Special quick-lock connector. |
| Attachment Methods: | C-clamps or threaded mounting tabs & quick-setting adhesive. |