Analysis of Stress-Deformation Behavior of Soil-Geosynthetic Composites in Plane Strain Condition

Abstract

A study was undertaken to investigate stress-deformation behavior of soil-geosynthetic composites (SGC) by finite element method of analysis. Five field-scale experiments conducted on representative SGC of different reinforcement stiffness/strength and reinforcement spacing were used to validate the analytical model. An elasto-plastic soil model, referred to as the hardening soil model, was selected to simulate behavior of compacted fill in the SGC experiments. Model parameters were determined from results of large-size triaxial compression tests by following a set of procedure without back-calculation or calibration. Measured external and internal displacements, including vertical strains, horizontal displacement profiles, and internal movement at selected points of all five SGC tests, were found to be in very good agreement with simulation results from the analytical model up to an applied pressure of 1000 to 2000 kPa. The validated model therefore serves as a reliable tool for investigation of stress-deformation behavior of soil-geosynthetic composites. This paper presents validation of the analytical model, analysis of stresses and deformation of SGC, and influence of factors such as reinforcement stiffness, reinforcement spacing, soil stiffness and strength parameters on stress-deformation behavior of SGC. The study helps to gain improved understanding of stress-deformation behavior of soil-geosynthetic composites.