Elasto-magneto-electric (EME) sensors for force monitoring of prestressing tendons

Abstract Stress/force monitoring of prestressing tendons is challenging but crucial to the evaluation of the safety of structures in which they are used. To this end, a smart elasto-magneto-electric (EME) sensor based on elasto-magnetic (EM) and magneto-electric (ME) effects is proposed for noncontact field monitoring of the absolute stress in these steel tendons. In this paper, our research in design, implementation, and application of the EME sensory system for non-destructive monitoring of prestressing tendons is overviewed. The results confirm that the developed EME sensor possesses high repeatability, ease of operation and maintenance, corrosion resistance, and long expected service-life. It is demonstrated that the proposed EME sensory technology is feasible for the stress/force monitoring of prestressing tendons in both new and existing structures and the EME sensory system is reliable and stable.