The Soga Research Group/Center for Smart Infrastructure is working with Caltrans to develop a cutting-edge distributed fiber optic sensing system for monitoring ground anchors. The primary goal is to quantify the distributed soil-grout-anchor interaction and load/stain transfer mechanism in various ground conditions during construction, pull-out testing, and long-term service life. Field monitoring data combined with numerical modeling analysis will be used to improve design protocols for estimating ground anchor pull-out resistance capacity. Note, an innovative fiber optic cable-embedded steel tendon is being developed as part of a broader approach to quantify behavior of ground anchor system subcomponents. Distributed strain and temperature will be measured in ground anchors installed on various Caltrans projects.
Ground anchors installed with earth retention structures to provide lateral resistance to slope failure
Strain transfer mechanism