A laboratory evaluation of reinforcement loads induced by rainfall infiltration in geosynthetic mechanically stabilized earth walls. Issue 5 (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Portelinha, F.H.M.; Santos, M.C.; Futai, M.M.
• Is Part Of: Geotextiles and geomembranes. Volume 49:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 1427
• Page End: 1439
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Geosynthetics -- Infiltration -- Suction -- Tensile load -- Reinforcement strain; Membranes (Technology) -- Periodicals; Membranes (Technology); Periodicals; Electronic journals; 624.189
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geotexmem.2021.05.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-1144

Abstract

Abstract: A laboratory testing that simulates the mechanisms of a geosynthetic-reinforced layer was used to assess the impact of rainwater infiltration on reinforcement loads and strains in mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls. The testing device allows measuring loads transferred from a backfill soil subjected simultaneously to surcharge loading and controlled irrigation. Load-strain responses of geosynthetic-reinforced layers constructed with three different geosynthetics under a moderate rainfall are related to suction captured along the depth of reinforced layers. Results show infiltration leading to increases on strains and tensile loads mobilized by reinforcements. Rates of increases of both parameters were found to be dependent of global suction, geosynthetic stiffness and hydraulic properties. In addition, increases in water content at soil-geotextile interfaces due to capillary breaks also had a significant effect on mobilized loads. The loss of interaction due to the interface wetting was observed to affect the stress transference from soil to geosynthetic reinforcement. An approach suggested for calculation of lateral earth pressures in unsaturated GMSE walls under working stress conditions and subjected to rainfall infiltration demonstrated a reasonable agreement with experimental data. Highlights: Rainfall Infiltration led to increases up to 15% in loads mobilized by geosynthetic reinforcements. The use of global suction of soil during infiltration is a reasonable way to assume suction levels in design analyses. The relationship between mobilized loads and global suction is dependent of the water retention curve of backfill soil. Unsaturated hydraulic characteristic of a geotextile-soil system affects stress transference under infiltration. The suggested formulation to predict geosynthetic tensile loads under rainfall infiltration agreed the experimental data.