An instrument that measures strain at the surface of a solid body by means of changes in the electrical properties of associated circuits. There are several types of strain gauge.
A resistance strain gauge consists of a fine wire attached to the surface. The length of the wire is altered by the strain, causing an associated variation in the resistance.
An electromagnetic strain gauge consists of a small soft-iron armature attached to the surface and free to move inside a fixed inductive coil. Movement of the surface alters the position of the armature causing an associated variation in the inductance of the coil.
A variable capacitance gauge consists of a parallel plate capacitor that has one fixed plate and the other attached to the surface. The strain causes the separation of the plates, and hence the capacitance, to be varied.
Piezoelectric or magnetostriction strain gauges have a suitable piezoelectric or magnetostrictive crystal attached to the surface. The strain is measured by the associated piezoelectric or magnetostrictive changes that it induces.