STRUCTURAL LOAD MONITORING USING COLLARS AND CONNECTING ELEMENTS WITH STRAIN SENSORS

摘要

A system and method for measuring loads on a pipe, including a pair of collars that can be secured around the outer surface of the pipe to be monitored in an axially spaced relationship; and a connecting element having a strain gauge is fixed to the collars such that when the collars are secured to the pipe, the connecting element is arranged to measure distortion of the pipe due to applied loads, wherein the ends of the connecting element are attached to the collars such that when the collars are secured to the pipe, the ends of the connecting element are fixed against axial and circumferential movement relative to the pipe. The system includes the apparatus mounted on a pipe, such as a flexible pipe, in a subsea oil or gas installation.