A novel study by Maksymilian Jasiak, Shih‑Hung Chiu, Chien‑Chih Wang, Professor Kenichi Soga, and collaborators has been featured in Geotechnical Frontiers 2025. The paper, “Development of Novel DFOS‑Embedded Ground Anchor for Resilient Design and Construction”, introduces an advanced ground anchor system that integrates distributed fiber‑optic sensing (DFOS) directly into steel strand tendons—enabling high‑resolution, real‑time strain monitoring throughout the anchor length.
Study Summary
-
Objective: Design and test ground anchors with embedded DFOS cables to monitor strain across steel, internal grout, and external grout zones.
-
Field validation: Four full‑scale, 60‑ft anchors were installed and tested in mixed soil conditions near Antioch, California.
-
Instrumentation: Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR) and Brillouin Time Domain Reflectometry (BOTDR) platforms were deployed to collect continuous strain data during pull‑out tests and long-term monitoring.
Key Findings
-
DFOS enabled clear differentiation of strain transfer across tendon–grout transition zones.
-
Comparative testing with and without post‑grouting demonstrates how construction methods affect anchor behavior.
-
High‑resolution sensing captured localized deformation patterns, providing new insights into anchor–soil interaction mechanisms.
Why It Matters
By embedding DFOS into anchor tendons, this research paves the way for real-time performance monitoring, improved safety margins, and smarter maintenance planning for critical infrastructure, including highway and bridge slope stabilization systems.