Evolution of Acoustic Emission Characteristics During Soil Shear Testing Based on Active Waveguide System

ObjectiveMonitoring internal shear processes and assessing potential risk perception in landslides is crucial for maintaining the stability of earthy slopes. This research uses an active waveguide system and acoustic emission (AE) technology to examine the evolution of AE signal characteristics unde...

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Main Authors: WU Xin, LIU Yonghong, WANG Xuemei, ZHANG Man
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Editorial Department of Journal of Sichuan University (Engineering Science Edition) 2025-05-01
Series:工程科学与技术
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Online Access:http://jsuese.scu.edu.cn/thesisDetails#10.12454/j.jsuese.202300583
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author WU Xin
LIU Yonghong
WANG Xuemei
ZHANG Man
author_facet WU Xin
LIU Yonghong
WANG Xuemei
ZHANG Man
author_sort WU Xin
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveMonitoring internal shear processes and assessing potential risk perception in landslides is crucial for maintaining the stability of earthy slopes. This research uses an active waveguide system and acoustic emission (AE) technology to examine the evolution of AE signal characteristics under different shear conditions. The primary objectives are to 1) characterize the behavior of AE signals, including ring count, energy, and <italic>b</italic>‒value, during the soil shear process, 2) analyze the influence of water content and loading rate on AE signal evolution, as these factors significantly affect soil stability, 3) establish a theoretical framework for selecting characteristic indicators that enhance the predictive capabilities of AE technology in monitoring soil slope stability, 4) support the development of more effective monitoring and early warning systems for soil slope sliding, improving the safety and management of infrastructure and human settlements in landslide-prone areas.MethodsThrough a systematic experimental approach, the study aimed to uncover the multifactorial dynamics of AE signals during soil shear, providing valuable insights for the application of AE technology in geotechnical engineering and slope stability assessments. The research methodology was designed to systematically investigate the AE characteristics of soil under shear conditions using an active waveguide system. The approach encompassed several key stages, beginning with the selection and preparation of the soil material. Chengdu clay, representative of high-water-content soils, was chosen for its prevalent geotechnical properties, including high water content and a complex pore structure. The clay was meticulously compacted within a specially designed shear box, ensuring a controlled environment for the experiments. An active waveguide rod was integrated into the setup to enhance the sensitivity of AE signal detection and reduce signal attenuation, a common challenge in granular media. The waveguide rod was positioned within a granular material bed, facilitating the transmission of AE signals from the shear zone to the sensors. The experimental design involved varying two critical parameters: the loading rate and the water content of the soil. Three distinct loading rates (5, 10, and 20 mm/min) and five different water content levels were selected, resulting in a comprehensive matrix of 15 test conditions. Each test was conducted under displacement control, with a predetermined shear displacement of 50 mm, beyond which the test was halted to analyze the accumulated AE data. The AE signals were captured using a DS5‒16 <italic>b</italic>‒type data acquisition system with a sampling frequency of 3 MHz and a frequency response range of 100 to 400 kHz. The system recorded the AE events, including the ring count, energy, and <italic>b</italic>‒value, which were essential parameters for analyzing the soil's shear behavior. The data collected were then subjected to statistical and cluster analyses to identify the underlying patterns and correlations between the AE parameters and the experimental conditions. This comprehensive methodology established a robust understanding of the AE signal evolution during soil shear, providing insights into the multifactorial processes involved and contributing to the development of predictive models for soil slope stability.Results and DiscussionsThe research yielded substantial insights into the behavior of AE signals during the shear testing of soil, underpinned by the analysis of three pivotal AE parameters, ring count, energy, and <italic>b</italic>‒value, each responding distinctly to variations in shear displacement and soil water content. Ring count findings: The research identified that the ring count escalates swiftly with an increase in shear displacement, with drier soils demonstrating heightened AE signal activity. This indicates that soil moisture plays a critical role in the generation of AE signals. The ring count's exponential decline with increasing water content highlights the need to consider soil consistency in AE monitoring systems. Energy observations: The study demonstrated that AE energy, representing the aggregate energy emitted during soil shearing, exhibits a gradual increase with shear displacement. Soils with reduced water content were observed to release higher energy, likely due to greater frictional resistance in less hydrated conditions. In addition, the energy output was shown to escalate with faster loading rates, indicating the importance of the rate of stress application in energy release. <italic>b</italic>‒value insights: The <italic>b</italic>‒value, a measure of AE event magnitude distribution, displayed a trend of decreasing initially with shear displacement and then leveling off. This trend implies that as soil approaches failure, there is a rise in the proportion of high-magnitude AE events. The <italic>b</italic>‒value is negatively correlated with water content, with higher water content of soil showing larger <italic>b</italic>‒values, potentially attributable to the water's lubricating effect, which can decrease frictional energy dissipation. Multifactorial Analysis: Cluster analysis clarified the multifactorial nature of AE signal characteristics influenced by shear rate and water content. The analysis showed distinct patterns between different water content groups, with lower water content correlating with lower <italic>b</italic>‒values and higher ring counts. In addition, a positive correlation was observed between energy and ring count, with both parameters increasing with water content. The impact of the loading rate on result distribution was also noted, with higher shear rates leading to more pronounced class separation.ConclusionsThis study concludes that AE signal characteristics are sensitive indicators of soil behavior during shear, demonstrating significant potential to enhance the predictive capabilities of AE technology in soil slope stability monitoring. The findings highlight the necessity of a detailed understanding of the interaction between AE parameters and soil properties, which is essential for developing accurate monitoring systems. It highlights the value of employing a multi-parameter analysis in AE-based monitoring to achieve a more comprehensive evaluation of soil slope conditions. The study advances the development of early warning systems capable of detecting the onset of slope instability with increased precision by integrating insights from ring count, energy, and <italic>b</italic>‒value analyses. These conclusions affirm the effectiveness of AE technology in geotechnical engineering, particularly for predicting and alerting against soil slope failure. The results provide a theoretical foundation for applying AE in monitoring, providing a basis for future research and practical applications in soil mechanics and slope stability management.
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spelling doaj-art-ed5d6da33bfd48ea93ab6b631b9269b72025-08-20T01:52:26ZengEditorial Department of Journal of Sichuan University (Engineering Science Edition)工程科学与技术2096-32462025-05-01579610573245534Evolution of Acoustic Emission Characteristics During Soil Shear Testing Based on Active Waveguide SystemWU XinLIU YonghongWANG XuemeiZHANG ManObjectiveMonitoring internal shear processes and assessing potential risk perception in landslides is crucial for maintaining the stability of earthy slopes. This research uses an active waveguide system and acoustic emission (AE) technology to examine the evolution of AE signal characteristics under different shear conditions. The primary objectives are to 1) characterize the behavior of AE signals, including ring count, energy, and <italic>b</italic>‒value, during the soil shear process, 2) analyze the influence of water content and loading rate on AE signal evolution, as these factors significantly affect soil stability, 3) establish a theoretical framework for selecting characteristic indicators that enhance the predictive capabilities of AE technology in monitoring soil slope stability, 4) support the development of more effective monitoring and early warning systems for soil slope sliding, improving the safety and management of infrastructure and human settlements in landslide-prone areas.MethodsThrough a systematic experimental approach, the study aimed to uncover the multifactorial dynamics of AE signals during soil shear, providing valuable insights for the application of AE technology in geotechnical engineering and slope stability assessments. The research methodology was designed to systematically investigate the AE characteristics of soil under shear conditions using an active waveguide system. The approach encompassed several key stages, beginning with the selection and preparation of the soil material. Chengdu clay, representative of high-water-content soils, was chosen for its prevalent geotechnical properties, including high water content and a complex pore structure. The clay was meticulously compacted within a specially designed shear box, ensuring a controlled environment for the experiments. An active waveguide rod was integrated into the setup to enhance the sensitivity of AE signal detection and reduce signal attenuation, a common challenge in granular media. The waveguide rod was positioned within a granular material bed, facilitating the transmission of AE signals from the shear zone to the sensors. The experimental design involved varying two critical parameters: the loading rate and the water content of the soil. Three distinct loading rates (5, 10, and 20 mm/min) and five different water content levels were selected, resulting in a comprehensive matrix of 15 test conditions. Each test was conducted under displacement control, with a predetermined shear displacement of 50 mm, beyond which the test was halted to analyze the accumulated AE data. The AE signals were captured using a DS5‒16 <italic>b</italic>‒type data acquisition system with a sampling frequency of 3 MHz and a frequency response range of 100 to 400 kHz. The system recorded the AE events, including the ring count, energy, and <italic>b</italic>‒value, which were essential parameters for analyzing the soil's shear behavior. The data collected were then subjected to statistical and cluster analyses to identify the underlying patterns and correlations between the AE parameters and the experimental conditions. This comprehensive methodology established a robust understanding of the AE signal evolution during soil shear, providing insights into the multifactorial processes involved and contributing to the development of predictive models for soil slope stability.Results and DiscussionsThe research yielded substantial insights into the behavior of AE signals during the shear testing of soil, underpinned by the analysis of three pivotal AE parameters, ring count, energy, and <italic>b</italic>‒value, each responding distinctly to variations in shear displacement and soil water content. Ring count findings: The research identified that the ring count escalates swiftly with an increase in shear displacement, with drier soils demonstrating heightened AE signal activity. This indicates that soil moisture plays a critical role in the generation of AE signals. The ring count's exponential decline with increasing water content highlights the need to consider soil consistency in AE monitoring systems. Energy observations: The study demonstrated that AE energy, representing the aggregate energy emitted during soil shearing, exhibits a gradual increase with shear displacement. Soils with reduced water content were observed to release higher energy, likely due to greater frictional resistance in less hydrated conditions. In addition, the energy output was shown to escalate with faster loading rates, indicating the importance of the rate of stress application in energy release. <italic>b</italic>‒value insights: The <italic>b</italic>‒value, a measure of AE event magnitude distribution, displayed a trend of decreasing initially with shear displacement and then leveling off. This trend implies that as soil approaches failure, there is a rise in the proportion of high-magnitude AE events. The <italic>b</italic>‒value is negatively correlated with water content, with higher water content of soil showing larger <italic>b</italic>‒values, potentially attributable to the water's lubricating effect, which can decrease frictional energy dissipation. Multifactorial Analysis: Cluster analysis clarified the multifactorial nature of AE signal characteristics influenced by shear rate and water content. The analysis showed distinct patterns between different water content groups, with lower water content correlating with lower <italic>b</italic>‒values and higher ring counts. In addition, a positive correlation was observed between energy and ring count, with both parameters increasing with water content. The impact of the loading rate on result distribution was also noted, with higher shear rates leading to more pronounced class separation.ConclusionsThis study concludes that AE signal characteristics are sensitive indicators of soil behavior during shear, demonstrating significant potential to enhance the predictive capabilities of AE technology in soil slope stability monitoring. The findings highlight the necessity of a detailed understanding of the interaction between AE parameters and soil properties, which is essential for developing accurate monitoring systems. It highlights the value of employing a multi-parameter analysis in AE-based monitoring to achieve a more comprehensive evaluation of soil slope conditions. The study advances the development of early warning systems capable of detecting the onset of slope instability with increased precision by integrating insights from ring count, energy, and <italic>b</italic>‒value analyses. These conclusions affirm the effectiveness of AE technology in geotechnical engineering, particularly for predicting and alerting against soil slope failure. The results provide a theoretical foundation for applying AE in monitoring, providing a basis for future research and practical applications in soil mechanics and slope stability management.http://jsuese.scu.edu.cn/thesisDetails#10.12454/j.jsuese.202300583soil shearloading ratemoisture contentacoustic emissioncharacteristic parameters
spellingShingle WU Xin
LIU Yonghong
WANG Xuemei
ZHANG Man
Evolution of Acoustic Emission Characteristics During Soil Shear Testing Based on Active Waveguide System
工程科学与技术
soil shear
loading rate
moisture content
acoustic emission
characteristic parameters
title Evolution of Acoustic Emission Characteristics During Soil Shear Testing Based on Active Waveguide System
title_full Evolution of Acoustic Emission Characteristics During Soil Shear Testing Based on Active Waveguide System
title_fullStr Evolution of Acoustic Emission Characteristics During Soil Shear Testing Based on Active Waveguide System
title_full_unstemmed Evolution of Acoustic Emission Characteristics During Soil Shear Testing Based on Active Waveguide System
title_short Evolution of Acoustic Emission Characteristics During Soil Shear Testing Based on Active Waveguide System
title_sort evolution of acoustic emission characteristics during soil shear testing based on active waveguide system
topic soil shear
loading rate
moisture content
acoustic emission
characteristic parameters
url http://jsuese.scu.edu.cn/thesisDetails#10.12454/j.jsuese.202300583
work_keys_str_mv AT wuxin evolutionofacousticemissioncharacteristicsduringsoilsheartestingbasedonactivewaveguidesystem
AT liuyonghong evolutionofacousticemissioncharacteristicsduringsoilsheartestingbasedonactivewaveguidesystem
AT wangxuemei evolutionofacousticemissioncharacteristicsduringsoilsheartestingbasedonactivewaveguidesystem
AT zhangman evolutionofacousticemissioncharacteristicsduringsoilsheartestingbasedonactivewaveguidesystem