PULLOUT RESISTANCE OF GEORGIA STABILIZED EARTH MESH EMBEDDED IN COMPACTED SAND

A detailed laboratory investigation of the pullout resistance of the GASE (Georgia Stabilized Earth) mesh in sands was conducted. The tests were conducted in a large scale pullout box and utilized a specially designed clamping system to minimize the influence of boundary conditions. A hydraulic control panel designed for this project was able to control the post peak response of the grid/soil composite. Sands selected for testing represent the range of sands currently being considered by the Georgia Department of Transportation as backfill for GASE applications. Pullout test results were very consistent and demonstrated the coupled effects of normal pressure and soil type on reinforced soil behavior. A numerical model was developed for predicting the entire pullout response of any length/width configuration of GASE mesh. The model parameters could be determined from just two pullout tests conducted at different confining pressures. The results of this study compared favorably with the results of previous investigations using inextensible reinforcement. The failure mechanism of the soil against the transverse members is a function of the soil type, confining pressure and test boundary conditions. The conventional shear strength parameter phi' can be used to quantify the bearing capacity factor for both a punching and general bearing capacity failure modes, although phi' itself is not indicative of the mode of failure. At present pullout tests are needed to predict the pullout response.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Georgia, Experiment

  Georgia Experiment Station
  Experiment, GA  United States 

  Georgia Department of Transportation

  One Georgia Center
  600 West Peachtree Street, NW
  Atlanta, GA  United States  30308
• Authors:
  • Bachus, R C
  • Ospina, R
• Publication Date: 1989-3-27

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 45 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Backfilling; Boundary value problems; Confining pressure; Failure; Pull out test; Retaining walls; Sand; Wire mesh
• Uncontrolled Terms: Boundary conditions
• Old TRIS Terms: Backfills; Non-extensible reinforcement
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00485221
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: GDOT Proj. No. 8712
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 1990 12:00AM