Interaction Between Soils and Geosynthetic Layers in Large-Scale Ramp Tests

Abstract

Ramp tests can be used for the evaluation of bond strength between soils and geosynthetics and between different layers of geosynthetics. This paper presents a theoretical and experimental study on the use of this type of test to measure soil-geosynthetic interface bond strength. Granular and cohesive soils and a wide range of geosynthetic types were employed in the tests. Tests with one to three geosynthetic layers were carried out with measurements of mobilised tensile loads. The results show the factors that may affect test results, such as apparatus size, soil type, geosynthetic tensile stiffness, and surface characteristics. Mechanisms of interface failure and of load transference between different layers are also identified and discussed.