Measuring long-term strains in concrete by microcomputer

A new low-cost computer interface has been developed for acoustic strain gauges. The interface will operate and read up to four gauges and brings the benefits of computer control and results processing to these robust gauges. All control programming uses standard BASIC commands. To complement the interface, a program has been developed which effectively turns the computer into a complete datalogger for acoustic strain gauges. Operational modes range from immediate display of strains to long-term monitoring of the gauges under clock control.