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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Strain gauges as intrusion detection sensors

Conference · · Nuclear Materials Management. Annual Meeting Proceedings; (United States)
OSTI ID:5494316
 [1];  [2]
  1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Lockwood Green Engineers, Inc., Spartanburg, SC (US)
Strain gauges have been studied for use as intrusion detection sensors in several applications being investigated at Sandia National Laboratories. Strain gauges are attached to a metal structure to monitor the quiescent strain in the structure. The change in the quiescent strain, when an intruder adds weight to the structure provides the alarm mechanism. The basic theory of force sensors is covered to lay the foundation for this application. In this paper, how this basic theory is applied to security sensors is discussed, and how this class of sensors is applicable to security at Department of Energy facilities is covered. Several applications are described for strain gauges as security sensors. Test results are presented from a six-month test conducted at a Department of Energy facility using the strain gauge to monitor overhead lines crossing a security perimeter. Monitoring these overhead lines with strain gauges is valuable because the cost is much less than the cost to bury the lines.
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
5494316
Report Number(s):
CONF-910774--
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Nuclear Materials Management. Annual Meeting Proceedings; (United States) Journal Volume: 20
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English