Experimental and numerical investigation into the Sand/Geotextile shear interaction behaviour

Abstract

Bibliography: pages 115-119.Geotextiles are planar polymeric textile materials which are utilised in geotechnical engineering in various applications, including the reinforcement of soils which is achieved by laying geotextile sheets horizontally to carry the induced horizontal stresses. The behaviour of such reinforced soil structures (e.g. retaining walls) is determined primarily by the shear interaction between the soil and individual geotextile sheets. This dissertation presents an investigation into the shear interaction behaviour between a locally manufactured non-woven geotextile and Cape Flats sand. The literature review exposed a certain lack in understanding of the displacement and shear stress mechanisms involved in the pull-out of geotextiles from sand. Also, the prediction of either rupture or slippage failure was unclear. The shear stress at slippage failure has not previously been determined for confinements greater than 1OOkPa. The applicability of using direct shear tests (specified by the BS8006) to determine the friction parameters for design, is uncertain. Numerical techniques have been shown to be an adequate tool to analyse the pull-out mechanism of a geotextile in soil