Effects of waveguide tube geometry and surrounding medium conditions on acoustic emission signal attenuation
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Deep-seated deformation in landslides is typically concealed and exhibits a time lag; reliably obtaining information on internal deformation through acoustic emission (AE) technology remains a key challenge in landslide early warning. Metal waveguides can reduce the impact of strong soil attenuation on AE signal acquisition; however, the mechanisms of propagation attenuation within the metal waveguides themselves remain unclear. To address this, this study conducted controlled laboratory experiments on wave propagation in waveguide tubes to systematically investigate the differences in propagation attenuation caused by waveguide diameter, wall thickness, and the state of the surrounding medium. By analyzing time-domain waveforms, frequency-domain characteristics, time–frequency representations, and fitting exponential attenuation models, the study examined the attenuation changes with increasing propagation distance under different operating conditions. The results indicate that the amplitude of AE signals generally exhibits exponential attenuation as the propagation distance increases. When comparing individual factors, the surrounding-medium condition produced the largest change in attenuation, followed by outer diameter, whereas wall thickness had the weakest effect. Attenuation was also frequency selective. These findings provide a basis for selecting components for active waveguide systems (AWS), determining sensor spacing, and establishing effective monitoring ranges.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: Fengling Chen, Shuyuan Duan, Guodong Zhang
Institution: China Three Gorges University
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
OpenAlex ID: W7223124359