Depth wire strain gauge

How a Deep Wire Extensometer Works

The deep wire extensometer is a device designed to monitor the displacement of landslide masses, particularly to detect the different movement between unstable surface layers and deeper, more stable rock layers.

To understand how a deep extensometer works, it's important to know that the instrument measures the relative displacement between geological layers, providing a direct assessment of deep ground deformation.

Extensometer: Operation and Components

The system consists of one or more stainless steel cables anchored at different depths and connected to a surface measurement head, which can be configured in either a single or multi-point version.

This type of extensometer functioning is particularly effective even under critical conditions, as it can be installed externally to an inclinometer casing, ensuring continuous measurements even after casing deformation.

Applications and Benefits

Among its key advantages is the ability to recover data from inclinometer tubes that are damaged or no longer accessible by a mobile probe. Additionally, the steel cable is attached to a terminal with improved bonding, optimized for grouting and long-term measurement stability.

This technology can be compared with other deformation measurement tools, such as the rosette extensometer and the traditional strain gauge. Understanding how a strain gauge works is essential to evaluate the differences in working principles and practical applications of each system.