Acoustic emission characterization of mechanical behavior during pile penetration in dry calcareous sands
摘要
This study investigates particle interactions in calcareous sands during pile penetration using model tests combined with acoustic emission (AE) monitoring. By varying relative densities and pile tip angles, correlations were established between macroscopic resistance and AE characteristics across different frequency bands. The results reveal AE behavior comparable to the development of ground resistance, showing increased cumulative AE hits (DAE) and higher hit rates (RAE) across all frequency bands with increasing relative density and pile tip angle. The relative breakage index Br exhibits a well-defined linear correlation with high-frequency (> 100 kHz) AE hits on a double-logarithmic scale, contrasting with the semilogarithmic trend observed in silica sands, a difference likely attributable to distinct crushing mechanisms and AE propagation properties. Frequency-dependent AE waveforms reveal a broad spectrum, with low-frequency signals (RLAE, < 100 kHz) dominating throughout penetration. In contrast, the less dominant high-frequency AE activity (RHAE, > 100 kHz) consists primarily of intermediate high-frequency components (RHLAE, 100–200 kHz). During the resistance stabilization phase, RHAE exhibits growing influence, particularly with increasing relative density and pile tip angle, while RLAE tends to stabilize. These results suggest a complex interplay between particle rearrangement and multiple modes of particle crushing during pile penetration.