Acoustic Emission Characteristics During Shear Failure of Active Waveguide Structure for Rock Slope Monitoring

This study investigates the acoustic emission (AE) characteristics associated with the shear failure mode based on the principles of active waveguide monitoring for the bedding rock slopes. Physical simulation experiments were conducted to assess the AE response during the shear-induced failure process of active waveguide structures. The findings indicate that during the initial loading phase, the scatter points of the signals are concentrated within a relatively narrow range. As the shear stress exceeds 90% of the peak stress and approaches the failure stage, there is a significant increase in the AE count and a rise in the high-frequency signals. Additionally, the distribution range of signals in the parameter correlation plot expands progressively. With increasing shear stress, the AE count, amplitude, and energy also rise gradually. And the emergence of continuous high-frequency signals is noted. During the failure stage, numerous microcracks initiate and propagate within the specimen, with signal amplitudes ranging between 40 and 90 dB. The peak frequency range of the AE signals broadens, with high-frequency components mainly concentrated between 350 and 450 kHz. Loading tests conducted at shear displacement rates of 0.25-1.5 mm/min reveal a strong correlation between the AE count and the shear displacement rate. Furthermore, prior to the shear failure of the active waveguide structures, the AE count shows a positive correlation with shear displacement. After the shear failure of the waveguide structure specimens, the AE count gradually decreases from a higher level to a lower level, demonstrating a negative correlation with shear displacement. The active waveguide structure can monitor the internal deformation conditions of the bedding rock slope so as to provide some reference for the early warning research. In addition, quantitative statistical analysis and curve fitting are conducted on the relationship between AE statistical count and shear displacement under different loading rates. The measured data show good agreement with the fitted curves, and a distinct two-stage evolutionary pattern (positive correlation before peak and negative correlation after peak) is quantitatively identified. These results further enhance the reliability of using AE parameters for quantitative evaluation of shear failure characteristics and displacement rate effects in bedding rock slopes.