Pholoelastic Instrumentation in Civil Engineering Structures

Abstract

This paper deals with the measurement of stress or load in three structures using photoelastic gauges. Principals of photoelastic gauging are described with reference to the design and installation of a photoelastic stressmeter and gauges to measure earth pressure and steel cable tensions. Applications are described as follows: The measurement of load distribution between a concrete raft and piles using photoelastic stressmeters and photoelastic earth pressure gauges. The measurement of stresses in a prestressed box cantilever bridge using photoelastic stressmeters. The control of tension in the main supporting cables of a large suspension bridge using photoelastic load gauges.