Analytical solution for calculation of pull out force-deformation of geosynthetics reinforcing unsaturated soils

Abstract

Performing tests on geosynthetic-reinforced soils under pullout conditions gives a comprehensive understanding of soil-geosynthetic interaction. However, they may be expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, the development of theoretical solutions may be beneficial to recognize characteristics of geosynthetic-reinforced soils under pullout conditions. This paper proposes an analytical solution for the determination of pullout force-deformation variation of planar geosynthetics reinforcing unsaturated cohesive-frictional soils. The solution predictions were validated with experimental results, demonstrating the capability of the presented solution. The solution can extend limited results obtained from experiments to a wider range of conditions. It has been demonstrated that under 20 kPa overburden stress, with decreasing the soil suction from 1153 to 312 kPa, corresponding to increasing the moisture content from 16% to 20%, the peak pullout force decreases by about 28%. The results also illustrate that by increasing the value of matric suction, the amount of U* (relative soil-reinforcement displacement corresponding to the total mobilization of friction) decreases.