Facing extensometer vibrating wire

for joints and cracks:

CrackVib
Technical Reference

DS.FT.CrackVib.10

Characteristics

locally measure the total strains siding of a book

and temperature variations

Detect cracks beats and joints (facing stone and

concrete)

Evaluate the Mechanical stress variations in

concrete

insensitive to the aggressive environments (IP69K,

stainless steel 316L)

applications:
the sensor CrackVibis designed to locally measure the displacements between two anchoring points fixed to the facing
of a structure (shrinkage deformation, thermal deformation, pathological swelling, mechanical deformations,
cracking). The measurement is based on the proven technology of the vibrating string to ensure follow up with
long cable and over long periods without any maintenance (back to over 50 years experience on dual coil
vibrating wire sensors ).
This sensor is intended particularly the sustainable structures and industrial facilities of high technologies in Concrete:

Dams and dikes

Nuclear center

Bridges and overpasses

storage center and tanks

Tunnels and Pipelines

Offshore platforms in concrete

Historical monuments

Measuring principle:
The sensor CrackVibconsists of a flexible monolithic test body comprising two anchors defining the measuring length
(280 mm). A thin steel rope is prestressed between the two cheeks. The attachment of the rope system is
constituted by conical clamps ensuring a free clamping of the rope after thermal aging drift of the sensor (3 cycles

This document is the property of CEMENTYS and must not be copied, reproduced, duplicated totally or partially
for third parties, nor used in any way without the written consent of CEMENTYS, Copyright 2010
Cementys CrackVib proprietary technology.
CEMENTYS SAS 27 Daviel Villa, 75013 Paris, www.cementys.com

20 / + 80 C). Micrometric displacements between the cheeks induce variations of the string resonance
frequency, excited by two electromagnets located in the middle of the rope. The measurement of this
frequency may be on long-distance wiring because the mechanical signal is unaffected by the electrical
pollutions ( electric motor , electromagnetic field , radio signals) and the acquisition chain (cable length, type of
measuring instrument). In addition, the energy of the necessary electrical signal mode is kept sufficiently low to
ensure intrinsic safety sensor. Finally, the mechanical sensor without integrated electronics is robust and durable in
civil engineering works.

Installation process
The sensor is insensitive to neutral environments, basic and / or alkali (resistant to marine corrosion in its
version of 316L stainless steel). By design, it is sensitive to strong electromagnetic interference. An earthing
device and lightning protection is recommended for external measures (see instructions in installation manual).
If stray current, up-to proper grounding is required. The sensor is sealed to liquid water up to 100 bar.

Reading and interpretation of measures

The measurement of the mechanical resonance frequency of the sensor CrackVib preferentially performed in
"talks" mode. The steel string vibrates at a frequencyf before a detection coil ( "listen" coil), resulting in a
periodic variation of the reluctance of its magnetic circuit that induces an electric signal of the same frequency
f. This signal is amplified and applied to an exciting coil which maintains the oscillation ( "maintenance" coil).
Frequencyf can be measured using a frequency meter or by signal processing (FFT). The measurement of the
electrical resistance of one of the two electromagnetic coils indicates the temperature of the sensor (coil with
resistance of 82.8 ohm at 0C, variation of 0.36 ohm/C). The reading is obtained by manual post or standalone,
autonomous acquisition. Changes in total strains are determined from the variation of the rope resonance frequency
and temperature of the rope (near electromagnets). In the frequency range (500 - 1500 Hz), the relationship between
frequency and total distortionis given by the formula:

or
is the deformation expressed in 10-6(Microstrain)
f and T are the frequency measured and the relative temperature,
f0and T0 the frequency and the initial temperature of the sensor.
K1and K2 are the calibration coefficients of the sensor (respectively 0.5 and 1 to the sensor CrackVib)

This document is the property of CEMENTYS and must not be copied, reproduced, duplicated totally or partially
for third parties, nor used in any way without the written consent of CEMENTYS, Copyright 2010
Cementys CrackVib proprietary technology.
CEMENTYS SAS 27 Daviel Villa, 75013 Paris, www.cementys.com

Sensor features:
Model

CrackVib

Measuring range
frequency

500Hz - 1500Hz resolution 0.1 Hz maintained 500 fashion - 2500

Hz spectral mode

Span deformation

1500 10-6 mode maintained 10 5000-6

in spectral mode

Measuring range in displacement

between the anchor points

0.5 mm

maintained in fashion

1.5 mm

in spectral mode

Resolution strain

10 0.1-6
(With a reading near 0.1 Hz)

Temperature

-20 C - 90 C.

Terms of use

Shock resistant, UV and marine and alkaline environments. IP69K

protection up to 100 bar.

Response time

2 seconds (maintained mode)

Total length of the sensor

300 mm

Diameter

maximum

of

25 mm

sensor
Weight without cable

200 g

cable output

5 conductor (cable length specify)

Maximum cable length for

measurement

1500 m

Characteristics of measuring signals:

Listen signal

Sinusoidal 10 to 30 mV rms sine, 160 mV

signal Maintenance

rms

circuit resistance

90 ohm

options

fast connector plug by Jaeger

Sheets for cladding installation

Reference on extensometry by vibrating string (industrial instrumentation sensors,

G. Asch, Wiley Ed., 1982):
- Strength which ensures a long lifetime
- Operation fidelity in hostile environments (corrosive, alkaline, moist, nuclear radiation, explosive
atmosphere, fresh concrete drop)
- Immunity vis--vis noise, interference and transmission impairments

This document is the property of CEMENTYS and must not be copied, reproduced, duplicated totally or partially
for third parties, nor used in any way without the written consent of CEMENTYS, Copyright 2010
Cementys CrackVib proprietary technology.
CEMENTYS SAS 27 Daviel Villa, 75013 Paris, www.cementys.com

Fig. 1: Sensor View

CrackVib Inox Version

316L

This document is the property of CEMENTYS and must not be copied, reproduced, duplicated totally or partially
for third parties, nor used in any way without the written consent of CEMENTYS, Copyright 2010
Cementys CrackVib proprietary technology.
CEMENTYS SAS 27 Daviel Villa, 75013 Paris, www.cementys.com