1.2. Physical Variables Commonly Measured

Try these first

1. 1.

   What does displacement measure in civil engineering?

   Hint

   Think about structural movements.

2. 2.

   Name one device used to measure strain.

   Hint

   It detects resistance changes.

3. 3.

   What is displacement used to measure?

   • Structural movement
   • Fluid pressure
   • Temperature change

   Hint

   Think about how structures react under different conditions.

4. 4.

   True or False: Strain gauges measure deformation in materials.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Recall what a strain gauge does.

5. 5.

   Evaluate how temperature fluctuations might affect the lifetime of a concrete structure exposed to different climates.

   Hint

   Consider the extremes of hot and cold.

6. 6.

   A bridge measures a strain of 0.002. If the gauge indicates a safe limit of 0.005, what can you conclude?

   Hint

   Think about comparing measured values with safe limits.