Residual tensile force estimation method for earth anchor using elasto-magnetic sensing system

Area of Science:

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Earth anchors are crucial for slope stabilization and landslide prevention due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of construction.
• Loss of anchor force in existing earth anchors is a significant concern, potentially leading to slope failure.
• Current methods for measuring residual tensile force require internal sensor installation during construction, posing a challenge for existing structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel elasto-magnetic (EM) sensor for non-invasively measuring the tensile force of earth anchors.
• To overcome the limitations of existing methods that require internal sensor installation.
• To provide a practical solution for monitoring the integrity of earth anchor systems.

Main Methods:

• Utilized ANSYS Maxwell software for optimal elasto-magnetic (EM) sensor design analysis.
• Fabricated the EM sensor based on numerical simulation results.
• Conducted experimental tests to measure tensile force and validate the sensor's performance.

Main Results:

• The developed EM sensor demonstrated the ability to measure tensile force based on the elasto-magnetic effect.
• A correlation was observed where the area of B-H curves increased as the tensile force decreased.
• An equation for estimating tensile force was successfully derived and verified with experimental data.

Conclusions:

• The proposed elasto-magnetic (EM) sensor offers a viable solution for measuring the residual tensile force of earth anchors.
• This non-invasive technique can enhance the monitoring of slope stability and the prevention of landslides.
• The developed sensor provides a practical and accessible method for assessing the condition of existing earth anchor systems.