Influence of Surface Roughness of Woven Geotextiles on Interfacial Frictional Behavior—Evaluation Through Model Experiments

Abstract

Geotextiles used as reinforcing elements in soil structures transfer a majority of the shear stress from the soil to the reinforcement by friction. The interfacing ability manifested by soil/geotextile frictional contact is thus very important in the perfor mance of reinforced soil structures. In this study, the interaction criteria of geotextiles with soil are evaluated by conducting model pull-out friction tests in a laboratory. The study includes an investigation of the influence of surface roughness of different woven geotextiles embedded in glass beads on interfacial friction under varying normal stresses. Pull-out friction tests on embossed acrylic plates are also done in the same manner to support beads/geotextile friction test results. The surface roughness of woven geotextiles can influence in-soil frictional behavior depending on the relationship between soil particle size and surface asperity of the geotextile: the closest fit of soil particles into the surface irregularities gives the maximum frictional resistance.