I suggest you such solutions:

1. Sensor installed on the surface of materials: Dynamic Strain Transducers (Electrical Resistance) | Model ST-350 - The Model ST-350 Dynamic Strain Transducer is used for structural testing and recording strains on steel structures, post-tensioned and pre-stressed concrete structures. The sensor is reusable. You will be able to use it for several more tests.

2. Sensor inserted inside concrete: Rebar Strainmeters (Electrical Resistance) | Model 3911 · 3911A. Model 3911 Electrical Resistance Type Rebar Strainmeters are designed primarily for monitoring the stresses in reinforcing steel in concrete structures, such as bridges, concrete piles and diaphragm walls.

You will connect the sensors to any measuring apparatus. The cost will be small.

You can also use other sensors, e.g., vibrating wire sensors, fiber optic FBG, fiber optic DFOS. However, the data recorders for these sensors are much more expensive. The choice of sensors depends on the purpose of your research and the size of the budget you have.

For SHM, one has to finalize the technical requirement of strain gages to be deployed viz.

Strain range

Frequency depending on whether one is monitoring large deflection or high frequency vibration of the structure being monitored

The material on which the gages are to be mounted, i.e. metallic materials or composites

The operating temperature of the structure under going the SHM

Once this information is available, you need to look at the strain gate signal conditioner's frequency response available for the purpose.

Once you have the above details you can look at gages from MM USA or japanese gages along with mounting materials and leadwires needed for the same.

However the bigger challange will be to identify the universal location of the gage on the structural member to get good response during entire spectrum of operation.

I agree with all the above answeres. From my experience, VWSGs are time taking, and not good for transient or dynamic loads. This is for any kind of gauges, say, embedded, welded to rebar, or other means to transfer the strain from body of material to the gauge. Yes, data loggers are monopoly of manufacturers and quite expensive. But they are reliable and robus. Fiber Optic sensors are new and can give better resolution and least count. I suggest, to have first hand approximate analysis to assess the level of strain expected. Then, suitable gauge within the range can be decided. Without this, entire data logging exercise may go futile. So, one should be careful on this aspect.