A Case Study: Shear Interface Testing of a Constructed Geosynthetic Barrier

Abstract

Since geosynthetic interfaces often serve as a weak plane on which sliding may occur, shear strengths of these interfaces need to be carefully assessed. In this case study, geosynthetic and soil samples were exhumed from the base and side slope of a constructed facility to generate site specific data. The importance of using representative materials and performing the shear interface testing under conditions similar to those expected in the field are discussed. Once the test data was available, they were used in a stability analysis software package to determine the Factor of Safety (FoS) of the barrier system. Lastly, to illustrate the risk of using literature shear strengths parameters without confirming them during construction, the FoS using actual shear strengths will be compared to the design FoS which used literature shear strengths.