The Vibrating Wire Embedment Strain Gauge is used for measuring strain in concrete structures and is suitable for direct burial. Also used in pile tests, load bearing concrete beams and columns, tunnel segments and concrete foundations.

With the gauge embedded within the structure, deformation of the concrete mass (member) causes the two end flanges to move relative to one another, thus altering the tension in the steel wire and its natural frequency. As the gauge is attached directly to the structure then an externally housed electromagnetic excitation coil, sealed within a PVC housing situated at the mid-point of the gauge tube, is used to excite the strained wire. Connected by tough 4-core, screened cable, the coil is activated by an electrical pulse from a vibrating wire readout unit, which then measures the resulting frequency of vibration. Using a gauge factor, the measured frequency may be converted directly into units of strain.