Utilization of Geosynthetic Material Interfaces for Reduction of Cyclic Motion Induced Accelerations

Abstract

The geosynthetic materials are extensively used in a wide range of applications in civil engineering. In this study, a nonwoven high strength geotextile which is generally utilized as a reinforcing material for earth structures and a ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) geomembrane (generally used to seal the inner face of toxic liquid tanks against leakage) are used together beneath structures for seismic isolation purposes. The dynamic interface properties of the surface formed between these two materials have been tested on small scale models by shaking table tests. The results were impressive such that the accelerations transferred to the superstructure were significantly reduced. Also, it was observed that the materials used during the research had almost no abrasion at the end of a series of experiments which revealed that the tested materials could be used for repetitive dynamic loadings.