Structural health monitoring (SHM) is crucial for detecting premature failure in structures, including heritage structures. This study evaluates a reinforced concrete (RC) beam under monotonic two-point loading, using various sensors: force resisting sensor (FSR), flex sensor (FLS), piezoelectric sensor (PZS), and MEMS accelerometer sensor. Experimental results validated theoretical expectations, showing that MEMS accelerometer sensors provide superior performance in capturing fundamental structural responses. © 2022 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.