Sand-geogrid interfacial shear response revisited through additive manufacturing

Abstract

Though it is known that the geometric features of geogrids are crucial for deriving optimal interface shear strength, not much work is done to optimize the size and shape of the apertures relative to the particle size of the soils in contact. Most of the commercial geogrids have rectangular or square apertures, which are many times bigger than the soil particles. The present study explores the effects of aperture size and shape of geogrids relative to the size of the sand particles on their interface shear response through direct shear tests and digital image analysis. Geogrids of different aperture sizes and shapes were manufactured using a 3D printer. Shear tests were carried out on three sands of different grain sizes interfacing with geogrids of five different aperture sizes and three different aperture shapes. Through these tests, interface shear response with a wide range of aperture ratio and different shapes of geogrids is understood. Shear zone thickness of different sand-geogrid interfaces was computed through Particle image velocimetry (PIV). Based on the tests and analyses, triangular apertures are found to be more efficient compared to other apertures. The optimal range of aperture ratio is found to be 2–11.29.