Magnetoelastic sensor for real-time monitoring of elastic deformation and fracture alarm

The development of a versatile magnetoelastic sensor prototype for on-line elastic deformation monitoring and fracture alarm in civil engineering is reported. The sensor is based on the variation of resonant longitudinal magnetoelastic waves amplitude due to elastic status change in the amorphous Fe62.5Co6Ni7.5Zr6Cu1Nb2B15 active core. Tests on a tufa wall under mass loading were conducted. The obtained results show a good reliability and sensitivity (1 mV/10 μm) of the sensor response in the μm-cm deformation range. The sensor is able to predict the approaching to the fracture regime, monitoring a preceding characteristic behavior.