Abstract
In the past twenty years in Croatia a number of reinforced earth constructions have been built, of which two reinforced earth walls stand out due to their dimensions: Strikici and Sveta Trojica. In the building of these walls polyester strips were used as reinforcement elements, whereas as fill material crushed stone aggregate was used. For designing these constructions knowledge about the interaction mechanisms between the polyester strip and the soil is required. So far, most of the published studies have been directed to the determination of the friction interaction coefficient of the polyester strip and the fill material which was sand or gravel, whereas tests on the interaction between the geosynthetic strip and the crushed stone aggregate have not been performed. In order to determine the friction interaction coefficient between the crushed stone aggregate which is commonly used as fill material and the geosynthetic strip pull-out tests of the polyester strip were carried out. Apart from pull-out tests, large direct shear tests were performed to determine shear strength parameters of crushed stone strength. Predictions from the numerical model were compared to a series of pull-out tests, proving that the numerical model provides reasonable predictions of pull-out behavior.
Highlights
The concept of earth reinforcement is not new: the inclusion of reinforcements to improve the stability of soil structures has been used by man for centuries
In order to determine the friction interaction coefficient between the crushed stone aggregate which is commonly used as fill material and the geosynthetic strip, pull-out tests of the polyester strip were carried out
The direct shear tests of crushed stone aggregate were performed under three different normal stresses: 85 kN/ m2, 150 kN/m2 and 215 kN/m2, whereas the shear stress was measured as a function of shear displacement
Summary
The concept of earth reinforcement is not new: the inclusion of reinforcements to improve the stability of soil structures has been used by man for centuries. Vidal developed a system of reinforced earth using flat reinforcing strips laid horizontally in frictional soil. He described this material as “Reinforced Earth” and that term has become generic in many countries, being used to describe all forms of reinforced soil structures (Jones, 1988). To understand the interaction mechanism between polyester strips and crushed stone aggregate better, information about mechanical properties of the soil (friction angle, dilatancy and cohesion) and the results of the friction interaction coefficient from pull-out tests is required. The preliminary results of the experimental and numerical investigation of the interaction between a polyester strip and crushed stone aggregate together with the interaction coefficients obtained from tests are shown
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
