Tension monitoring apparatus including a fixing with a shank under tension and a strain sensor embedded in the shank where the strain sensor is connected to a data processing means

Tension monitoring apparatus comprising:

• a fixing with a shank which in use is under tension;
• a strain sensor embedded in the shank of the fixing and configured to generate a strain sensor signal corresponding to tension in the shank;
• data processing means configured to receive the strain sensor signal, process the strain sensor signal in accordance with one or more characterizing parameters associated with the strain sensor and thereby generate corresponding strain sensor data indicative of a strain to which the shank is subject, and
• a wireless transmitter for communicating the strain sensor data to a remote receiver, wherein:
• the data processing means and the wireless transmitter are mounted in a module fixed to an end of the fixing;
• the module further comprises an interconnect for connecting the strain sensor and the data processing means;
• and
• the interconnect comprises memory having stored thereon one or more of the characterizing parameters, said characterizing parameters retrievable by the data processing means for use when generating the strain sensor data.