Analysis of Measured Strains in Geotextile-Reinforced Clay Backfill over Through-Grade Culverts in Cold Climates

This paper presents a case study of an open cut culvert installed with woven geogrid and geotextile between layers of the clay backfill to distribute differential heave over larger distances, and thereby minimize pavement roughness. Pavement roughness at culverts can create potentially unsafe driving conditions and adversely affect ride quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of geogrid/geotextile fabrics in reinforcing weaker clay backfills over culverts where granular backfill is not available and/or the cost of hauling and disposing of in-situ material is not sustainable. The research consisted of the placement of biaxial woven geogrid and geotextile, instrumented with strain gauges, between layers of clay backfill during the culvert installation on a highway in Manitoba, Canada. The research also included the installation of thermistor strings at the culvert site. The measured strains in the reinforced backfill and the temperature profiles in the soil around the culvert were analysed. The results of the analysis are presented.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFS70 Standing Committee on Geosynthetics. Alternate title: Analysis of Measured Strains in Geogrid and Geotextile Reinforced Clay Backfill over Through-Grade Culverts in Cold Climate.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Transportation Research Board

    500 Fifth Street, NW
    Washington, DC  United States  20001
  • Authors:
    • Kavanagh, Leonnie
    • Shalaby, Ahmed
    • Moussa, Ahmed
    • Sparrow, Scott
  • Conference:
  • Date: 2017

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 18p
  • Monograph Title: TRB 96th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01626245
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: 17-06559
  • Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
  • Created Date: Feb 20 2017 4:44PM