Review article

The study of the stress-strain state (SSS) gives an indication how structural elements work in real operating conditions. The purpose of this study was to analyze the existing methods used for monitoring of buildings and structures, as well as to create a universal, inexpensive, and simple method for measuring deformations and forces in rod elements using a micrometer. As the results of laboratory tests have shown, the new method is in no way inferior to the existing electric, acoustic and strain resistance methods of SSS control, surpassing them in some parameters, such as ease of installation, mobility, security, cost-effectiveness. The accuracy of measuring forces up to 7 % assessed during laboratory tests confirms the possibility of using this method for monitoring of existing structures.