Simulation of geosynthetic load–strain–time behaviour by the non-linear three-component model

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Polymer geosynthetic reinforcement materials exhibit significant elasto-visco-plastic load–strain behaviour that is controlled by, at least, current strain rate. For this reason, it is not possible to accurately evaluate the tensile load history only from a given tensile strain in a physical model test in the laboratory or with a full-scale soil structure in the field. A non-linear three-component model that can realistically simulate rate-dependent load–strain behaviour of polymer geosynthetic reinforcement is described with detailed explanations of the model framework together with the constitutive equations. The algorithms to simulate behaviours in three basic modes, constant strain rate monotonic loading, creep loading and load relaxation, are presented. A working example in Microsoft Excel with a user-defined Microsoft Visual Basic source code is provided in the appendices (which are available as supplementary data on the ICE Virtual Library website) so that readers can readily use the model.