Codeglia, Daniela, Dixon, Neil, Fowmes, Gary J. and Marcato, Gianluca (2017) Analysis of acoustic emission patterns for monitoring of rock slope deformation mechanisms. Engineering Geology, 219 . pp. 21-31. doi:10.1016/j.enggeo.2016.11.021 ISSN 0013-7952.

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Abstract

Acoustic emission (AE) is generated in soil and rock materials by rearrangement of particles during displacement or increasing damage in the microstructure preceding a collapse; therefore AE is appropriate for estimation of slope degradation. To overcome the high attenuation that characterise geological materials and thus to be able to monitor AE activity, a system that makes use of a waveguide to transmit AE waves from a deforming zone to a piezoelectric transducer was developed. The system quantifies acoustic activity as Ring Down Count (RDC) rates. In soil applications RDC rates have been correlated with the rate of deformation, whereas the recent application to rock slopes requires new interpretation strategies. In order to develop new strategies the system was installed at two rock slope trial sites in Italy and Austria. RDC rates from these sites, which have been measured over 5 and 1.5 years respectively, are analysed and clear and recurring trends are identified. The comparison of AE trends with response from a series of traditional instruments available at the sites allows correlation with changes in external slope loading and internal stress changes. AE signatures from the large rock slope in Italy have been identified as generated in response to variations in the groundwater level and snow loading. At the slope in Austria, AE signatures include the detachment of small boulders from the slope surface caused by the succession of freeze-thaw cycles during winter time. The work reported in this paper is contributing to the development of AE monitoring and interpretation strategies for rock slopes. The longer-term aim is to identify approaching failures and derive rules for setting thresholds that can be used to give warning of rock slope failures in time to enable action to be taken.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) T Technology > TF Railroad engineering and operation
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Engineering > Engineering
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Railroads -- Embankments -- Risk factors, Acoustic emission, Acoustical engineering, Geotechnical engineering , Railroad engineering
Journal or Publication Title:	Engineering Geology
Publisher:	Elsevier BV
ISSN:	0013-7952
Official Date:	9 March 2017
Dates:	Date Event 9 March 2017 Published 27 November 2016 Available 23 November 2016 Accepted
Volume:	219
Number of Pages:	11
Page Range:	pp. 21-31
DOI:	10.1016/j.enggeo.2016.11.021
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Date of first compliant deposit:	7 February 2017
Date of first compliant Open Access:	27 November 2017
Funder:	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Consiglio nazionale delle ricerche (Italy) (CNR), Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft [Austrian Research Promotion Agency], Österreichische Bundesbahnen
Grant number:	EP/H007261/1, VIF 2011 program (Austrian Research Promotion Agency), (Österreichische Bundesbahnen)

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