Failure risk study of anchor bolts durability for loess slope under long-term hydro-thermal effect

Abstract The long-term safety and durability of anchor systems are the focus of slope maintenance management and sustainable operation. This study presents the observed temperature, humidity, and anchor bolt stress at varying depths from four-year remote real-time monitoring of the selected loess hi...

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Main Authors: Zhou Chang, Weifeng Sun, Changgen Yan, Hengxing Lan, Yuling Shi, Han Bao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84106-8
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author Zhou Chang
Weifeng Sun
Changgen Yan
Hengxing Lan
Yuling Shi
Han Bao
author_facet Zhou Chang
Weifeng Sun
Changgen Yan
Hengxing Lan
Yuling Shi
Han Bao
author_sort Zhou Chang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The long-term safety and durability of anchor systems are the focus of slope maintenance management and sustainable operation. This study presents the observed temperature, humidity, and anchor bolt stress at varying depths from four-year remote real-time monitoring of the selected loess highway cut-slope. The potential correlation between slope hydrothermal environment and anchor stress is analyzed. The anchor serviceability and durability were evaluated by establishing a time-dependent mathematical model of axial forces. The results show that the slope shallow loess exhibited hydro-thermal fluctuations annually during operation, subjecting the loess to continuous dry–wet cycles. Soil elastic deformation induces anchor axial force fluctuations due to hydro-thermo effects, while damage creep leads to the annual increase in axial force peaks and valleys. The increase in axial force is more significant at the upper slope and lower slope, thereby increasing the risk of retrogressive landslides in loess slopes. The time-dependent model of anchor axial force composing negative exponential and sine functions was proposed. The cyclic amplitudes, lower limits, and periods of temperature and humidity in slope can determine the model coefficients. The development patterns of axial force are classified into stable type, slow growth type, and accelerated growth type according to the characteristics of the model coefficients. Predicted results indicate that the anchor axial forces are lower than the landslide threshold within 30 years of slope operation, ensuring long safety and serviceability. Results provide a reference for the long-term safety evaluation and formulation of maintenance plans for loess slopes reinforced by anchor systems.
format Article
id doaj-art-61a92b7bcd774642a3c894a912e44359
institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-61a92b7bcd774642a3c894a912e443592025-01-05T12:16:29ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111810.1038/s41598-024-84106-8Failure risk study of anchor bolts durability for loess slope under long-term hydro-thermal effectZhou Chang0Weifeng Sun1Changgen Yan2Hengxing Lan3Yuling Shi4Han Bao5School of Highway, Chang’an UniversitySchool of Geological Engineering and Geomatics, Chang’an UniversitySchool of Highway, Chang’an UniversitySchool of Geological Engineering and Geomatics, Chang’an UniversitySchool of Geological Engineering and Geomatics, Chang’an UniversitySchool of Highway, Chang’an UniversityAbstract The long-term safety and durability of anchor systems are the focus of slope maintenance management and sustainable operation. This study presents the observed temperature, humidity, and anchor bolt stress at varying depths from four-year remote real-time monitoring of the selected loess highway cut-slope. The potential correlation between slope hydrothermal environment and anchor stress is analyzed. The anchor serviceability and durability were evaluated by establishing a time-dependent mathematical model of axial forces. The results show that the slope shallow loess exhibited hydro-thermal fluctuations annually during operation, subjecting the loess to continuous dry–wet cycles. Soil elastic deformation induces anchor axial force fluctuations due to hydro-thermo effects, while damage creep leads to the annual increase in axial force peaks and valleys. The increase in axial force is more significant at the upper slope and lower slope, thereby increasing the risk of retrogressive landslides in loess slopes. The time-dependent model of anchor axial force composing negative exponential and sine functions was proposed. The cyclic amplitudes, lower limits, and periods of temperature and humidity in slope can determine the model coefficients. The development patterns of axial force are classified into stable type, slow growth type, and accelerated growth type according to the characteristics of the model coefficients. Predicted results indicate that the anchor axial forces are lower than the landslide threshold within 30 years of slope operation, ensuring long safety and serviceability. Results provide a reference for the long-term safety evaluation and formulation of maintenance plans for loess slopes reinforced by anchor systems.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84106-8Loess slopeAnchor boltHydro-thermal effectStress developmentTime-dependency model
spellingShingle Zhou Chang
Weifeng Sun
Changgen Yan
Hengxing Lan
Yuling Shi
Han Bao
Failure risk study of anchor bolts durability for loess slope under long-term hydro-thermal effect
Scientific Reports
Loess slope
Anchor bolt
Hydro-thermal effect
Stress development
Time-dependency model
title Failure risk study of anchor bolts durability for loess slope under long-term hydro-thermal effect
title_full Failure risk study of anchor bolts durability for loess slope under long-term hydro-thermal effect
title_fullStr Failure risk study of anchor bolts durability for loess slope under long-term hydro-thermal effect
title_full_unstemmed Failure risk study of anchor bolts durability for loess slope under long-term hydro-thermal effect
title_short Failure risk study of anchor bolts durability for loess slope under long-term hydro-thermal effect
title_sort failure risk study of anchor bolts durability for loess slope under long term hydro thermal effect
topic Loess slope
Anchor bolt
Hydro-thermal effect
Stress development
Time-dependency model
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84106-8
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AT weifengsun failureriskstudyofanchorboltsdurabilityforloessslopeunderlongtermhydrothermaleffect
AT changgenyan failureriskstudyofanchorboltsdurabilityforloessslopeunderlongtermhydrothermaleffect
AT hengxinglan failureriskstudyofanchorboltsdurabilityforloessslopeunderlongtermhydrothermaleffect
AT yulingshi failureriskstudyofanchorboltsdurabilityforloessslopeunderlongtermhydrothermaleffect
AT hanbao failureriskstudyofanchorboltsdurabilityforloessslopeunderlongtermhydrothermaleffect