This book covers the basic principles and methods of force measurement organized by force transducer type: resistive, inductive, capacitive, piezoelectric, electromagnetic, electrodynamic, magnetoelastic, galvanomagnetic (Hall-effect), vibrating wires, (micro)resonators, acoustic and gyroscopic. Two special chapters refer to force balance techniques and to combined methods in force measurement. It goes on to discuss force transducer components, evolving from the classical force transducer to the digital/intelligent one, with the incorporation of three subsystems (sensors, electromechanics and informatics). The elastic element (EE) is the heart
of the force transducer and basically determines its performance. A 12-type elastic element classification is proposed (stretched/compressed column or tube, bending beam, bending and/or torsion shaft, middle bent bar with fixed ends, shear beam, bending ring, yoke or frame, diaphragm, axial-stressed torus, axisymmetrical and voluminous EE), with emphasis on the optimum place of the strain gauges. The main properties of the associated Wheatstone bridge, best suited for the parametrical transducers, are examined, together with the appropriate electronic circuits for SGFTs. The handbook fills a gap in the field of Force Measurement, for both experts and newcomers, regardless of their particular interest. This book is the first specialized monograph in this inter- and multi-disciplinary field.