Monitoring of fractured rock bolted slopes using intelligent terminal structure

Monitoring the stability of joints in fractured rock slopes has always been a focal point in geotechnical engineering and geohazard technology. To address the technical challenges in monitoring the stability of rock joints, this study proposes a novel intelligent terminal structure (ITS) for prestressed rock bolts installed in slope-support systems. To verify the responsiveness of the installed ITS to rock-joint deformation, three types of shear tests (direct and cyclic) are conducted on sleeve–rebar composite anchoring, rebar-end-grouting anchoring, and full-grouting rebar anchoring rock joints. The results confirm the utility of the ITS component tooth fracture in monitoring the shear deformation of the anchored rock joints. The responses of the ITS components are monitored during their on-site construction and installation in a fractured-rock-slope engineering project. Using an internet-of-things data software platform, the axial force monitoring data of the tooth-fracture responses of the ITS components of the fractured-rock-slope anchoring system are obtained under extreme cyclonic rainfall conditions. This technology has significant engineering application value in the monitoring and prediction of fractures in rock slopes under disturbed stress-load conditions.