Electrofusion tensometry applied to the research of engineering structures

The subject of the article concerns the problem of estimating the location of a slip line in a massif with a vertical retaining wall made of reinforced soil, in which the limit state of active pressure was induced. The task is solved experimentally, on the basis of measured unit strains in the reinforcement inserts, with the use of electrofusion strain gauges. The inserts are located in horizontal layers. The slip curve is formed by the points where the maximum normal stresses occur in the reinforcement inserts. This curve cuts off the fragment wedge that is being sought from the plane of the retaining wall. The slip line divides the area of the massif into two zones: active (splinter wedge) and passive, in which the reinforcement inserts are anchored. The test stand is presented, the technique of measuring the deformation of the reinforcement and the method of estimating the location of the slip surface are discussed.