A metering apparatus for and method of determining a characteristic of a fluid flowing through a pipe

A strain gauge 71 is fixed to a non linear section of pipe 50 to detect a bending force on the pipe induced by the inertia of the fluid flowing through the pipe. A second strain gauge 72 is fixed to the pipe and detects any of hoop, longitudinal and/or radial strains imparted on the pipe by the pressure of the fluid flowing through the pipe. A controller 80 determines the mass flow rate of fluid flowing through the pipe based on the bending force and the hoop, longitudinal or radial strains. The controller may determine the volumetric flow rate and/or pressure of the fluid flowing in the pipe. A temperature sensor 73 may also be utilised in determining the density of the fluid. A user feedback arrangement may be provided to report fluctuations in the mass flow rate possibly caused by contaminants such as ice.