Journal Published Online: 30 September 2024
Volume 47, Issue 6

Effect of Testing Mechanisms on the Load-Strain-Time Behavior of Geosynthetic Reinforcements

CODEN: GTJODJ

Abstract

This study compares how geosynthetics behave under load, under strain, and over time when subjected to confined tensile tests in soil, employing two commonly used mechanisms in research. One test type simulates a reinforced layer, where tensile loads are indirectly applied to the geosynthetic via stresses transferred from the soil. In contrast, the other test applies tensile loads directly to the geosynthetic material using clamps while under soil confinement. The objective is to elucidate how these testing mechanisms might yield differing in-soil tensile characteristics for different geosynthetics. The study involved conducting load-strain-time tests on samples of nonwoven and woven geotextiles, as well as a geogrid, under varying sustained loads over a 120-h period within a sand clay soil providing soil confinement to geosynthetics at different surcharge levels. The results suggest that soil confinement plays a significant role in shaping the load-strain-time behavior of geosynthetics. Furthermore, it was noted that the impact of testing mechanisms on this behavior is contingent upon the type and stiffness of the geosynthetics, as well as their interaction with the confining soil. In general, in-soil tests in which tensile loads are mobilized by geosynthetics and transferred from the soil provide more confident results for better simulating operation conditions. Tests that directly apply tensile loads to the geosynthetic while maintaining stationary soil confinement may yield misleading results, especially for geosynthetics that have poor interaction with the soil.

Author Information

Plácido, Rafael Ribeiro
Department of Civil Engineering, Maua Institute of Technology, Sao Caetano, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Portelinha, Fernando Henrique Martins
Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
Futai, Marcos Massao
Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Souza, Tiago de Jesus
Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
Pages: 17
Price: $25.00
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Stock #: GTJ20230399
ISSN: 0149-6115
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ20230399