Study on Stress Monitoring and Risk Early Warning of Flexible Mattress Deployment in Deep-Water Sharp Bend Reaches

Abstract

This study addresses the complex challenges associated with flexible mattress (soft mattress) installation in the sharply curved and deep-water sections of the Yangtze River, particularly in the Yaozui revetment reconstruction project. Under extreme hydrodynamic conditions—water depths exceeding 30 m and velocities over 2.5 m/s—the risk of structural failures such as displacement, flipping, or tearing of the mattress becomes significant. To improve construction safety and stability, the study integrates numerical modeling and on-site strain monitoring to analyze the mechanical response of flexible mattresses during deployment. A three-dimensional finite element model based on the catenary theory was developed to simulate stress distributions under varying flow velocities and angles, revealing stress concentrations at the mattress’s upper edge and reinforcement junctions. Concurrently, a real-time monitoring system using high-precision strain sensors was deployed on critical shipboard components, with collected data analyzed through a remote IoT platform. The results demonstrate strong correlations between mattress strain, flow velocity, and water depth, enabling the identification of high-risk operational thresholds. The proposed monitoring and early-warning framework offers a practical solution for managing construction risks in extreme riverine environments and contributes to the advancement of intelligent construction management for underwater revetment works.