The possibility to deduce dynamic strains from acceleration measurements is investigated in this paper. The classic technique applied on beam-like structures which consists in using vertical accelerations to estimate longitudinal strains with a second order central finite difference is compared with two methods based on horizontal accelerations. Time domain responses of accelerometers and strain sensors installed on a simply supported beam are simulated, and the trains deduced from accelerations are compared with the real strains. The possibility of locating damage with the mode shape obtained with estimated strains is also addressed.