About The BSSM

Founded in 1964 the British Society for Strain Measurement (BSSM) is a non-profit making scientific, membership organisation focused on promoting the knowledge and application of advanced strain measurement, stress analysis and experimental mechanics techniques. BSSM sits at the interface between industry, academia and the wider engineering community and promotes the dissemination of new techniques and best practice.

In particular BSSM:

• Provides a resource of information and expertise on strain measurement and experimental techniques
• Runs internationally recognised accredited training courses and certification in strain gauge application, strain analysis and stress analysis
• Organises regular seminars and workshops to disseminate the latest developments in strain measurement and experimental mechanics
• Runs an annual International Conference on Advances in Experimental Mechanics
• Offers opportunities for company engagement and promotion to the International experimental mechanics community through Society membership, sponsorship and attendance at EMex, the UK's premier exhibition for manufacturers and suppliers of strain measurement and stress analysis equipment
• Gives support to early career development through the Young Members group, the annual Young Stress Analyst competition, a dedicated Post Graduate conference, and seminars and training that support professional development (CPD).
• Provides international networking, collaboration and a forum for publishing relevant research in the journal Strain, an internationally leading publication in the world of experimental mechanics

The Society has a wide and varied membership made up of individual, student, corporate and educational members in the UK and abroad, and has strong links with our sister organisation the Society for Experimental Mechanics (SEM) in the USA.

Strain gauging is a skilled profession, requiring a high level of detail and attention. BSSM has worked with the strain gauge manufactures and experienced practitioners to develop an agreed Code of Practice for the Installation of Electrical Resistance Strain Gauges and has developed a Certification scheme to provide industry with a means of ensuring the capability of their staff to select and install strain gauges. From initial specification to the interpretation and analysis of data, the BSSM provides a complete skillset necessary for anyone involved in precision strain measurement through a range of training courses and examinations for the certification of strain gauge personnel.

Courses are available suitable for:

• Technicians who install strain gauges 
• Designers who design instruments to measure load, Torque, Pressure, Distance etc 
• Engineers who use strain gauges for Stress Analysis 

The scheme follows ISO9712:2012, with three levels (strain gauge installation, strain measurement, stress analysis). The exams provide certification to assure a level of competence, from basic installation (Level 1) to full specification, installation, measurement and analysis (Levels 2 and 3). The courses (Level 2 and 3) provide comprehensive and essential information to enable successful measurements, reduced uncertainties, and numerical analysis.

BSSM believes that it is of benefit to users to have a Code of Practice for strain gauge installation which is universally agreed.  

The Code of Practice is not intended as an instruction manual and does not therefore provide all of the information necessary to complete a strain gauge installation. The code does not purport to address all of the safety regulations associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user to establish local Health and Safety requirements prior to the strain gauge installation.

The Code of Practice is offered at a discount to BSSM Members and is available to buy. Contact us for details.

Follow us on social media: