For the past three decades, geosynthetics have been recognized as materials that can significantly improve the performance of pavements on weak subgrade. Pavements exhibit non-linear elasto-plastic behavior. The addition of geosynthetics is undoubtedly beneficial. This being said, researchers have concentrated more on lower life cycle cost and high benefit-cost ratio whereas much less attention has been given to the complex behavior of the reinforced pavement system. Comprehension of the short-term and long-term field performance of reinforced pavements under continued traffic and cyclic environmental loading has remained unexplored. There is empirical evidence indicating quantitative benefits of reinforced versus unreinforced pavement structure. However, quantification of the relative benefits of different types of reinforcement like geogrids and geotextiles lacks information. Further, evaluation of the benefits and comparison of chemical stabilization in the form of lime treatment with mechanical stabilization in the form of reinforcement for pavements on soft soils has received lack of attention. In view of this, full-scale instrumented reinforced and lime treated pavement sections with different schemes were studied. Regular Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) testing was conducted in a Farm-to-Market Road, in Grimes County, Texas. Three different geosynthetic products were used for base reinforcement and lime treatment was used for subbase stabilization. Deflection measurements for 9 field trips in 3.5 years were evaluated. Modified deflection basin parameters (DBPs) were defined to typically identify layer properties and were used to measure the relative damage to the base, subbase and subgrade for different sections. A modified Base Damage Index (BDI) and a modified Base Curvature Index (BCI) were defined as a part of this study to capture the benefit of reinforced base and lime stabilized subbase respectively. The variation in the DBPs over three periods of wetting and drying along with explanation of the observed trends forms a part of this research. In addition, a number of condition surveys were performed, during 3 years, to visually identify distresses in various sections. A unique distress quantification technique was developed for measuring deterioration of the pavement sections in terms of the observed distresses and FWD measurements. With this, an index of pavement performance was developed. Thus, the FWD deflection data analyses complemented by visual observation, reveals important information on performance of different geosynthetics with the same base course. Analysis of the field performance of the multiple experimental sections throws light on the relative merits of base reinforcement against lime stabilization. / text

[pt] Atualmente, muitos projetistas utilizam diferentes métodos para o projeto de muros de solo reforçado com geossintéticos. Uma avaliação desses diversos métodos pode ser realizada pela comparação com os resultados obtidos do monitoramento de casos reais e suas respectivas retro- análises, sendo este o objetivo desse trabalho. Na presente pesquisa, três casos reais bem documentados de muros de solo reforçado (MSR) com geossintéticos, construídos no Brasil, foram selecionados para análise. O monitoramento destas estruturas registra a força de tração em cada camada de reforço, ao final da construção. A magnitude de força máxima de tração, medida nos reforços foi comparada com os resultados previstos pelos diferentes métodos de projeto. Além disso, foram realizadas simulações numéricas para avaliar o desenvolvimento de forças de tração nos reforços e comparar os resultados medidos com os previstos pelas simulações. Estas comparações indicam que, em dois dos três casos avaliados, os métodos baseados em equilíbrio limite subestimaram os valores de força de tração, principalmente nas camadas superiores. Isto vale para MSR compactados com equipamentos de alta energia. O método analítico sob condições de trabalho, proposto por Ehrlich e Mitchell (1994), prevê resultados superiores aos registrados em campo, ou seja, a favor de segurança, para os três casos avaliados. A simulação numérica consegue obter ordens de grandeza das forças de tração máxima próxima aos resultados de campo. A formulação de Ehrlich e Mitchell (1994) para o cálculo da tensão vertical induzida durante a compactação, em conjunto com a modelagem por MEF, aponta resultados coerentes para os três muros. / [en] Currently, several different methods for designing geosynthetic reinforced soil walls are available in the literature. An evaluation of these methods can be carried on by a direct comparison with the observed response of instrumented walls in the field. This comparison is the main objective of this research work. Three case histories of geosynthetic reinforced soil wall, constructed in Brazil, were selected for this research. The monitored response of these structures registered the tension in each reinforcement layer during construction. The maximum values of reinforcement tension have been compared with the computed values from different design methods. Moreover, predicted tension values from numerical simulations were also compared to the measured values in each reinforcement layer in the instrumented field walls. These comparisons indicate that, in two of the three evaluated cases, the design methods based on limit equilibrium underestimated the maximum tension. This was noted to be particularly significant in the upper layers of reinforced walls compacted under high energy levels. The analytical method based on work conditions proposed by Ehrlich and Mitchell (1994) resulted in tension values higher than those registered in the field instrumentation, for the three selected cases. Numerical simulations predicted maximum tension in reinforcements with similar values than those from the field instrumentation. The Ehrlich and Mitchell (1994) formulation for predicting the vertical tension induced by compaction resulted coherent with computed values from numerical finite element method for the three walls evaluated herein.

[pt] A aplicação de geossintéticos em obras geotécnicas vem crescendo intensamente nos últimos tempos, tornando cada vez mais importantes e necessários os estudos da resistência de interface para aplicação em projetos e obras. Em particular, tais estudos devem tratar das técnicas de ensaios de campo e de laboratório para a obtenção dos parâmetros de resistência (adesão e ângulo de atrito). Os ensaios de laboratório são utilizados com maior freqüência por serem mais acessíveis e de fácil execução. Os ensaios de campo reproduzem mais diretamente as condições das obras, mas apresentam como desvantagem o custo elevado e a dificuldade de execução. Este trabalho tem como finalidades apresentar o equipamento de ensaio utilizado e analisar os resultados de um programa em interfaces solo- geossintético. O programa experimental envolveu ensaios de rampa, cisalhamento direto convencional e cisalhamento direto inclinado em solo com granulação grosseira (brita), em contacto com as geomembranas e as geogrelhas. Os resultados foram analisados avaliando-se as influências da tensão confinante e da inserção dos geossintéticos, e comparandose os diferentes tipos de materiais e de técnicas de ensaio. A influência da tensão confinante foi estudada com base em três tensões confinantes distintas, de baixa magnitude (1,0; 1,7 e 2,4kPa). O aumento da tensão confinante implicou em um aumento, tanto do deslocamento até a ruptura quanto da resistência da interface. Este comportamento deve-se à possibilidade de rearranjo e imbricamento entre os grãos da brita. Em relação ao tipo de geossintético, a interface brita-geogrelha apresentou maior resistência do que a interface brita-geomembrana. Isto pode ser explicado em função da estrutura do geossintético, pois a geomembrana perde possui uma superfície lisa, o que favorece o deslizamento, ao contrário da geogrelha, que conta com o efeito do imbricamento do solo nas aberturas da malha. / [en] The use of geosynthetics in geotechnical construction is growing up intensively on the last years, which make the study on interface strength more important and necessary to its application on projects and construction. Particularly, these studies should watch out field and laboratory tests in order to obtain strength parameters (adhesion and friction angle). Laboratory tests are more frequently used, due to their accessibility and easy execution. Field tests reproduce construction condition in a directly way, but have as disadvantages high cost and hard execution condition. The current research have as objectives present the test equipment used and analyze software results obtained for soil and geosynthetic interfaces. The experimental program involved ramp tests, conventional direct shear test and inclined direct shear test. This program was carried out on gravel soil in contact with two different types of geosynthetics (geomembrane and geogrids). Results were analyzed based on the influence of confining pressure and the introduction of geosynthetics, and comparing the different materials and test techniques. The confining pressure influence/importance was studied based on three different low magnitude confining pressures (1,0; 1,7 e 2,4kPa). The confining pressure increases resulted in an increase of both displacements until the failure and interface strength. This behavior could be explained due to the possibility of interlocking e between the gravel grains. Considering the geosynthetic type, gravel-geogrid interface presented higher strength than gravel- geomembrane interface. This could be explained by the structure of the geosynthetic; geomembrane has low strength due to its smooth surface, which benefits the slide. Geogrid instead, counts with the soil interlocking; effects in the mesh holes.

O poliestireno expandido (EPS), conhecido popularmente no Brasil como Isopor®, foi introduzido recentemente no país como material de baixa massa específica para construções de aterros, principalmente sobre solos moles, e encontro de pontes. Contudo, ainda não há experiência consolidada deste material em ensaios do ponto de vista da engenharia geotécnica entre nós. Este trabalho apresenta os resultados da primeira pesquisa com ensaios mecânicos e hidráulicos de laboratório específicos da caracterização do EPS para o uso geotécnico. Os ensaios mecânicos compreenderam compressão uniaxial simples e cíclica, compressão triaxial, cisalhamento direto e de interface (junta) e fluência em compressão. Os ensaios hidráulicos incluíram absorção de água por imersão e permeabilidade. Um ensaio de perda de massa por ataque de roedores foi realizado de forma simples, e ensaios químicos foram feitos para estudar o polímero. As amostras ensaiadas foram escolhidas de modo a se abranger ao máximo àquelas utilizadas em obras. Tentou-se, também, antecipar a utilização de amostras não convencionais, com massas específicas elevadas e de materiais reciclados. Os resultados mostram que o EPS possui uma grande resistência a solicitações de compressão simples, cíclica e triaxial, de cisalhamento, elevado valor de ângulo de atrito da junta e absorção de água, permeabilidade variável com a massa específica e baixo coeficiente de Poisson. Estas propriedades chave, aliado ao baixo peso específico oferecem a este material um grande potencial de aplicação como geossintético na engenharia geotécnica. / Expanded polystyrene (EPS), in Brazil, commonly know as Isopor®, has been recently introduced in this country as lightweight material for construction of embankments on soft soils, and bridge abutments. Despite this fact, there is no consolidated experience, in Brazil, in testing this product from a geotechnical point of view. This paper presents the first research data, obtained in Brazil, on mechanical and hydraulic laboratory tests, aiming the characterization of EPS samples specifically for geotechnical use. The mechanical tests comprised simple and cyclic unconfined compression, triaxial compression, joint and direct shear and creep in compression. The hydraulic tests included water absorption by immersion and water permeability. A simple loss weight test by mice attack was also conducted. And chemical tests were done to study the polymer. The results show that EPS has a great resistance to simple, cyclic and triaxial compression and joint shear solicitation, high friction angle and water absorption, varied permeability with the density and low Poisson coefficient. These key properties with its very low density give this material large potential application for geosynthetic use in geotechnical engineering.

Apesar das vantagens relacionadas ao uso de estruturas de contenção em solo reforçado, a maioria das obras em nosso país ainda é executada por soluções convencionais. A ausência de um conhecimento mais profundo sobre o real comportamento das estruturas em solo reforçado, principalmente em termos de deslocamentos, certamente impede uma utilização mais intensa desse tipo de obra no Brasil. Com isso, para contribuir para um melhor entendimento do desempenho de estruturas em solo reforçado, foram construídos oito protótipos de estrutura de contenção em solo reforçado com geotêxtil, com 4,0 m de altura cada. Todas as estruturas foram instrumentadas, principalmente visando os deslocamentos, para avaliar o comportamento de campo. Adicionalmente, foi realizada a análise, em longo prazo, de um talude íngreme com 15,3 m de altura, construído no estado americano de Idaho, em que foram realizadas leituras até cinco anos após o fim da construção. Esse trabalho apresenta os resultados de cada protótipo construído, juntamente com os resultados do talude íngreme em Idaho, tanto em curto, quanto em longo prazo. As análises desenvolvidas compreendem, além da avaliação dos resultados individuais de cada estrutura, uma análise paramétrica entre todos os protótipos, investigando entre outros fatores, o tipo de solo, tipo de geossintético e geometria interna das estruturas. Além disso, foi realizada uma abordagem especial sobre a análise em longo prazo do protótipo 7. Dentre as conclusões mais importantes obtidas nesta pesquisa, podem-se citar as grandes deformações de fluência registradas no protótipo 7, a tendência de formação de uma superfície potencial de ruptura linear para os protótipos construídos com solo granular e de espiral logarítmica para os protótipos construídos com solos coesivos, a importância da coesão no bom comportamento das estruturas e a redução das movimentações verticais das estruturas com o acréscimo do teor de areia na granulometria do solo / Despite the important advantages associated with the use of geotextiles as reinforcement, most retaining walls in Brazil still use more conventional. The lack of field monitoring data regarding the internal and face displacements of these structures has certainly prevented broader use of this reinforced soil technology. This study addresses several aspects related to the behavior of geotextile-reinforced soil structures, such as the deformability of reinforcement materials under the confinement of soil, and quantification of the actual failure mechanisms. To achieve these goals, eight 4.0 m high geotextile-reinforced soil retaining wall prototypes were built and instrumented in order to quantify their behavior under ambient atmospheric conditions. Granular and poorly draining backfills were used in this study. Innovative construction methods and instrumentation were developed specifically for this research program. A significant laboratory testing program was conducted to quantify the stress-strain properties of the soils and geosynthetics involved in the construction of the walls. As a reference, the behaviors of these prototype structures were compared with that of a long term analysis of a steep slope in Idaho, USA. This wall is 15.3 m high, with displacement measurements carried out until five years after the end of the construction. A parametric analysis was conducted for the prototypes, in order to investigate the effects of soil type, reinforcement type and internal geometry of the structures. Among the most important conclusions obtained in this research, it is the large creep strains observed in prototype 7, the tendency of a linear potential slip surface observed for the walls constructed with granular backfills, and a log spiral slip surface for the prototypes constructed with cohesive backfills, the importance of the apparent cohesion in the behavior of the structures, and the reduction of the vertical movements of the structures with the increase of the amount of sand in the grain size distribution of the soil

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo comparativo da eficiência de diferentes geossintéticos no reforço de base de pavimentos de obras viárias com ensaios de arrancamento de pequeno porte. Utilizou-se geogrelhas de polipropileno, poliéster e de fibra de vidro e geotêxtil tecido de polipropileno. Um solo com 58% de argila (subleito) e um pedregulho areno-siltoso (camada de base) foram empregados. Os ensaios de arrancamento foram executados com diferentes combinações entre solos e geossintéticos. Nestes foi utilizado um novo sistema de medida direta de deslocamentos ao longo da inclusão com sensores óticos a laser. Além de analisar os resultados com curvas força de arrancamento x deslocamentos, foi possível utilizar gráficos rigidez x deformação para determinar o melhor geossintético no reforço de base de pavimentos. Como o corpo-de-prova de geossintético é de tamanho reduzido, garante-se a mobilização completa do reforço durante o ensaio de arrancamento e assim, é possível obter a deformação do mesmo. A abertura frontal da caixa de arrancamento tem influência no valor da força máxima ao arrancamento registrada no ensaio. Os resultados mostram que a interação solo-reforço é mais importante que a rigidez não-confinada do geossintético no comportamento do material em situação de confinamento no interior do maciço de solo. Observou-se que a resistência de junta, a geometria e o agulhamento da geogrelha, além da granulometria do solo, afetam a rigidez inicial do sistema. A melhor opção para os solos e geossintéticos estudados segue a seguinte ordem: (1) geogrelha de polipropileno, (2) geogrelha de poliéster, (3) geotêxtil tecido de polipropileno e (4) geogrelha de fibra de vidro. / This work presents an evaluation of various geosynthetics efficiency in reinforced base course of road pavements using small scale pullout tests. It was used polypropylene, polyester and glass fiber geogrids and polypropylene woven geotextile. A soil with 58% of clay (subgrade), and a sandy-silty gravel (base course) were used. The pullout tests were conducted with different combinations among soils and geosynthetics. In these tests, a new system of direct measurement of inclusion displacements with laser optical sensors was used. Beyond analyzing the results with curves pullout force x displacements, it was possible to use graphics rigidity x deformation in order to determinate the best geosynthetic in base course reinforcement. As the geosynthetic specimen is of small size, the complete mobilization of the reinforcement is guaranteed and, therefore, it is possible to obtain its deformation. The frontal aperture of the pullout box influences the maximum pullout resistance. The results show that the soil-reinforcement interaction is more important than the unconfined rigidity of the geosynthetic on the material behavior in confinement situation inside the soil block. The joint resistance, the geogrid geometry and its nailing, besides the soil particles size, affect the initial system rigidity. Therefore, they are important for base course reinforcement of road pavements. The results showed that the best option for the soils and geosynthetics studied are in the following order: (1) polypropylene geogrid, (2) polyester geogrid, (3) polypropylene woven geotextile and (4) glass fiber geogrid.

Os ensaios de arrancamento cíclicos são utilizados para avaliar o comportamento de sistemas de solo reforçado quando submetidos a carregamentos cíclicos, podendo ser aplicados na área de pavimentos reforçados com geossintéticos ou em comportamento sísmico de solos reforçados com geossintéticos. O comportamento de sistemas de solo reforçado submetidos a carregamentos cíclicos ainda não é bem compreendido. Em vista disso, equipamentos de arrancamento cíclicos de geossintéticos são desejáveis para o estudo deste comportamento. O equipamento de arrancamento de geossintéticos existente no laboratório de geossintéticos da Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos da Universidade de São Paulo foi modificado para a realização de ensaios de arrancamento cíclico de geossintéticos. Dois tipos de ensaios foram implementados para avaliar o comportamento cíclico de sistemas de solo reforçado com geogrelhas: o ensaio de módulo de cisalhamento de resiliência de interface solo-geogrelha, Gi, e o ensaio de resistência pós-ciclagem. Foram realizados 20 ensaios, entre ensaios de arrancamento monotônico, cíclicos e de testes, de geogrelhas. Foram avaliados dois sistemas, um deles de inclusão longa, de 510 mm de comprimento e 310 mm de largura; e o outro de inclusão curta, de 240 mm de comprimento e 310 mm de largura. Os ensaios para a obtenção de Gi mostraram que para o sistema de inclusão longa, foi possível ajustar os valores obtidos através de vários modelos de calibração e no caso do sistema de inclusão curta, foi impossível realizar medidas de deslocamento devido à precisão dos LVDT. Os ensaios de resistência pósciclagem foram realizados em um sistema análogo ao sistema de inclusão curta do ensaio para obtenção de Gi. Os resultados dos ensaios de resistência pós-ciclagem mostraram-se consistentes com os valores esperados em termos de resistência e deslocamentos cíclicos. Os ensaios de resistência pós-ciclagem mostram que o sistema de solo reforçado avaliado é susceptível a atingir a condição de ruína quando submetidos a carregamentos cíclicos de amplitude alta, mesmo sendo estáveis para carregamentos monotônicos de serviço. No entanto, sob uma amplitude de ciclagem baixa o sistema se comporta de maneira estável em termos de evolução de deslocamentos mesmo em condições cíclicas. As incertezas de medição, as vibrações transmitidas, a ausência de representatividade do comprimento da inclusão, presença de ruídos elétricos, bem como as limitações do equipamento evidenciam a necessidade de melhoria dos procedimentos de ensaio recomendados para a obtenção de Gi, e melhorar a qualidade da avaliação do comportamento da resistência pós-ciclagem. / Cyclic pull out tests have been used to evaluate the behavior of reinforced soil systems when subjected to cyclic loading. These tests are applied in areas such as geosynthetic reinforced pavements or geosynthetics reinforced soil systems when subjected to seismic loadings. Cyclic behavior of reinforced systems is not yet well understood. In this sense, cyclic test apparatus are desirable to study this behavior. Pull out test apparatus of the School of Engineering of São Carlos of the University of São Paulo was modified to perform cyclic pull out tests of geosynthetics. Two types of tests were conducted to evaluate cyclic behavior of geogrid reinforced systems: soil-geogrid interface resilient shear modulus test, Gi, and postcycling resistance test. Twenty tests were carried out such as monotonic, cyclic and calibration tests of geogrids. Two systems were evaluated: the first called long inclusion, with 510 mm length and 310 mm width, and the second system called short inclusion, with 240 mm length and 310 mm width. Concerning the long inclusion system, Gi tests showed that it was possible to adjust the values obtained through various calibration models; the short inclusion system presented deficiency to measure displacements due to LVDTs accuracy. Post-cycling resistance tests were performed on a system similar to the short inclusion test. Post-cycling resistance tests showed good performance when compared to the literature values regarding to resistance and cyclic displacements. These tests showed that the reinforced system evaluated could suffer rupture when subjected to high amplitude cyclic loading, even when this system is stable for the same monotonic load levels. Besides that, the system behaved stably under a low amplitude cyclic loading in terms of cyclic displacements evolution, even under cyclic condition. Uncertainty in measures, transmitted vibrations, lack of inclusion length representativeness, electric noises, and equipment limitations need improvements in test procedures to evaluate Gi as well to enhance the evaluation quality of the post-cycling resistance.

Growing environmental awareness has led to developments within landfill engineering, increasing the amount of research with the aim of constructing safe, stable landfills with optimal geometry. EU member states are forced to improve waste disposal policies through directives (Council of the European Union 1999) enforced in member countries through local legislation (in the UK, The Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002). This research focuses on several aspects of waste barrier in situ performance. A field study was conducted on a landfill side slope to investigate geosynthetics mechanical behaviour in service conditions and on a landfill capping to investigate capping geosynthetic drainage system performance in situ conditions and pore water distributions along the capping. Further site derived data were collected in order to validate numerical modelling approaches, to increase confidence in a design processes and to investigate mechanisms incorporated in the liner s performance. The side slope studies revealed an additional factor affecting lining components displacement along the slope: geomembrane and geotextile response to atmospheric conditions. The capping study allowed production of recommendations for future capping designs. These can be used to considerably enhance capping stability.

A laboratory investigation was conducted to determine the effects of temperature and moisture on the shear strength of textured geomembrane (T-GM) and geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) interface. Several landfill slope failures involving geosynthetics have occurred within the past three decades. Interface shear strength of T-GM/GCL is well documented for testing conducted at laboratory temperatures and at moisture contents associated with GCLs in submerged conditions. However, in-service conditions for landfill liner systems include a wide range of temperatures (extending from below 0 °C to above 40 °C) and a wide range of moisture conditions. Large-scale interface direct shear tests were performed at normal stresses of cover liners (10, 20, and 30 kPa) and bottom liners (100, 200, and 300 kPa). Cover liner specimens were subjected to temperatures of 2, 20 and 40 °C; and bottom liner specimens were subjected to temperatures of 20 and 40 °C. Both cover and bottom liner specimens were prepared at moisture contents of as-received (approx. 18-19%), 50%, and 100%. Cover liner specimens exhibited decreased peak interface shear strength (tp) with increasing temperature. Specimens sheared at 2 °C exhibited greater tp than those sheared at 20 °C by as much as 27%. Specimens sheared at 20 °C exhibited greater tp than those sheared at 40 °C by as much as 16%. Large-displacement interface shear strength (tld) generally exhibited a bell-shaped relationship with increasing temperature with the greatest tld at 20 °C. A bell-shaped relationship was exhibited between temperature and peak and large-displacement interface friction angle (dp and dld). dp ranged from 17.4 to 26.3°, 23.8 to 29°, and 20.4 to 22.2° for 2, 20, and 40 °C, respectively. dld ranged from 12.7 to 18.2°, 18.2 to 20.6°, and 15.9 to 16.7° for 2, 20, and 40 °C, respectively. Decreased d at 2 and 40 °C were largely attributed to increased geosynthetic damage. Bottom liner specimens exhibited decreased tp and tld with increasing temperature by up to 12% and 16%, respectively. Bottom liner specimens exhibited decreased tp and tld with increasing moisture content by up to 14% and 36%, respectively. For bottom liner specimens, a trend of decreased dp with increased temperatures was exhibited. dp ranged from 20 to 24.7° and 19.5 to 22.2° for 20 °C and 40 °C, respectively. dld ranged from 10.4 to 15.6° and 8.9 to 13.9° for 20 °C and 40 °C, respectively. Decreased d at 40 °C was largely attributed to increased geosynthetic damage and increased bentonite extrusion. Increased moisture content resulted in decreased dp and dld by up to 4.7 and 5.1°, respectively. Results of this testing program indicated that T-GM/GCL interface shear strengths are influenced by temperature and moisture content within ranges representative of field conditions. Interpolation factors and reduction factors were developed for use to avoid overestimation of d when determined at standard laboratory temperatures. For cover liners, reduction factors of 0.8 and 0.85 are recommended for dp and dld, respectively. For bottom liners, reduction factors of 0.9 and 0.85 are recommended for dp and dld, respectively.

Placing a geomembrane liner in the core of a dam is an alternative construction technique to traditional clay core types. This study aims to assess the performance of such internal geomembrane sealing systems in an earthen dam. Two-dimensional (2D) numerical analysis was performed to evaluate leakage through defective seams within an earthen dam. Five possible applications of internal geomembrane systems were initially modeled to locate the zero-pressure lines in an earthen dam. Then, another application where the geomembrane is placed on the upstream face was modeled to compare the upstream and internal geomembrane systems. The results of this study show that use of a geomembrane system, either upstream or internal, significantly decreases the pore pressure at the downstream face of the earthen dam. In addition, limit equilibrium analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of leakage through defects in geomembranes on the dam stability. The stability analyses for the upstream and downstream slopes were performed for three loading conditions: (1) end of construction, (2) long-term, and (3) rapid drawdown. The frequencies and locations of defective seams had a significant impact on the factors of safety of the downstream slope. It is shown that, in the case of upstream geomembrane systems, the factor of safety for the downstream slope has the highest value when the geomembrane hole occurs at a relatively lower location. On the other hand, in the case of internal geomembrane systems, the highest factor of safety occurs when the geomembrane hole is at a higher location. Additionally, rapid drawdown simulations show that the upstream slope of an embankment dam must be flat enough to overcome the upstream stability issues when geomembranes are placed within embankment dams. This study not only showed the advantages of using a geomembrane in the core of a dam as an impervious lining system but also provided comparative information on the performance of internal and upstream geomembrane systems with respect to the stability in earthen dams.