El estudio de los parámetros resistentes de los geosintéticos utilizados en los sistemas de impermeabilización de vertederos es un tema muy importante. Estos sistemas contienen diferentes interfaces (geosintético/geosintético y/o suelo/geosintético), muchas de las cuales tienen baja resistencia al deslizamiento. Esto potencia la existencia de superficies de rotura a lo largo de los taludes de los vertederos. El conocimiento de los parámetros resistentes al corte de los contactos entre geosintéticos (geotextiles, geomallas, geomembranas, etc.) y suelo ha sido investigado en la Universidad de Cantabria. Para ello se ha desarrollado una metodología del ensayo de corte directo 300x300 mm entre dos geosintéticos, entre suelo y geosintético, obteniendo los parámetros resistentes de estas interfaces. Seguidamente, en el Instituto de Geotecnia de la Universidad de Freiberg, se ha desarrollado el modelo de comportamiento resistente al corte de la interfaz geomembrana/geotextil. Este modelo se ha implementado en el programa de diferencias finitas FLAC3D para el desarrollo del modelo numérico. Comprobando que existe una excelente concordancia entre resultados de laboratorio, modelo analítico y modelo numérico. / The study of friction of the geosynthetics used for landfills both for basal-liner and capping systems is a very important issue. These lining systems typically contain a large number of material interfaces (geosynthetics/geosynthetics or geosynthetics/soil), many of which have low shear strengths. This introduces potential failure surfaces along the side slopes and base of the fill mass.A research project about this subject has been undertaken at University of Cantabria. In this investigation, a methodology for direct shear tests between two geosynthetics and a soil and a geosynthetic has been developed, achieving the friction parameters and analysing interaction mechanisms of different contacts. Later on at Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg was developed a shear strength model of the geomembrane/geotextile interface. On the one hand a shear model has been developed, on the other this model was introduced in numerical modelling code for advanced geotechnical analysis, FLAC3D. There is an excellent agreement between laboratory results, shear model and numerical model.

Environmental conditions such as temperature inevitably impact the long term performance, strength and deformation characteristics of most materials in infrastructure applications. The mechanical and durability properties of geosynthetic materials are strongly temperature dependent. The interfaces between geotextiles and geomembranes as well as between granular materials such as sands and geomembranes in landfill applications are subject to temperature changes due to seasonal temperature variations as well as exothermic reactions occurring in the waste body. This can be a critical factor governing the stability of modern waste containment lining systems. Historically, most laboratory geosynthetic interface testing has been performed at room temperature. Information today is emerging that shows how temperatures in the liner systems of landfills can be much higher. An extensive research study was undertaken in an effort to investigate temperature effects on interface shear behavior between (a) NPNW polypropylene geotextiles and both smooth PVC as well as smooth and textured HDPE geomembranes and (b) sands of different angularity and smooth PVC and HDPE geomembranes. A temperature controlled chamber was designed and developed to simulate elevated temperature field conditions and shear displacement-failure mechanisms at these higher temperatures. The physical laboratory testing program consisted of multiple series of interface shear tests between material combinations found in landfill applications under a range of normal stress levels from 10 to 400 kPa and at a range of test temperatures from 20 to 50 °C. Complementary geotextile single filament tensile tests were performed at different temperatures using a dynamic thermo-mechanical analyzer (DMA) to evaluate tensile strength properties of geotextile single filaments at elevated temperatures. The single filament studies are important since the interface strength between geotextiles and geomembranes is controlled by the fabric global matrix properties as well as the micro-scale characteristics of the geotextile and how it interacts with the geomembrane macro-topography. The peak interface strength for sand-geomembrane as well as geotextile-geomembrane interfaces depends on the geomembrane properties such as hardness and micro texture. To this end, the surface hardness of smooth HDPE and PVC geomembrane samples was measured at different temperatures in the temperature controlled chamber to evaluate how temperature changes affect the interface shear behavior and strength of geomembranes in combination with granular materials and/or geotextiles. The focus of this portion of the experimental work was to examine: i) the change in geomembrane hardness with temperature; ii) develop empirical relationships to predict shear strength properties of sand - geomembrane interfaces as a function of temperature; and iii) compare the results of empirically predicted frictional shear strength properties with the results of direct measurements from the interface shear tests performed at different elevated temperatures.

Landfill facilities are required to have a barrier system that will limit escape of contaminants to groundwater and surface water for the contaminating lifespan of landfill. Heat generated by the biodegradation of waste and chemical reactions in landfills reduces the service-life of geomembranes by accelerating the ageing process of high-density polyethylene. It may also lead to the desiccation of clay components of the liners. Four considerations with respect to the evaluation of the potential effects of liner temperature on the service-life of liners and the potential control of liner temperature are examined. For the first time, the likely temperature and service-life of a secondary geomembrane in a double composite lining system is predicted. It is shown that, in some cases, the temperature is likely to be high enough to substantially reduce the service-life of the secondary geomembrane. The possible effectiveness of using tire chips as passive thermal insulation between the primary and secondary liners, as well as traditional soil materials, is then explored. For the barrier system and contaminant examined, the results show that tire chips could potentially lower the temperature of the secondary geomembrane sufficiently to significantly extend its service-life. However, the use of tire chips brings about other practical issues, which are also discussed in this study. An active alternative method of controlling the increase in the landfill liner temperature is then examined. This approach, which is inspired by geothermal heat pumps, involves an array of cooling pipes beneath the waste. Numerical modelling showed that the hypotetical introduction of the cooling pipes resulted in a reasonable decrease in liner temperature. It is suggested that the proposed technique warrants further consideration. Finally the conditions that may lead to the desiccation of geosynthetic clay liners used in composite liners due to waste generated heat are examined and recommendations regarding possible means of mitigating the effects of heat on the performance of GCLs are presented. For example, numerical modelling shows that the hydration of GCL prior to waste placement, liner temperature, overburden stress, depth to aquifer and moisture content and grain size of subsoil affect desiccation. / Thesis (Ph.D, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2011-07-31 07:34:33.165

A literature review of municipal solid waste landfill design was conducted to provide the knowledge base for development of an environmental decision support system (Landfill Advisor). Landfill Advisor integrates the current knowledge of barrier systems into a software program to assist in landfill design. The choices available for each liner component (e.g., drainage layer, geomembrane liner, compacted clay liner, geosynthetic clay liner) and their suitability for different situations (e.g., final cover, base liner, lagoon liner) are presented. Landfill Advisor covers both the design and related operational issues for municipal solid waste landfills, with consideration given to the interactions between components, operating conditions, and the natural environment with a view to maximization of long-term system performance. Unique to Landfill Advisor, the service life of each engineered component is estimated based on results from the latest research. Original research is also presented on the risk of geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) desiccation in low stress applications such as solar ponds. Numerical modelling was undertaken using a thermo-hydro-mechanical model with parameters that were developed and verified by comparison to previously reported laboratory data. A parametric study was performed to establish recommendations for future investigation. The water retention curve of the GCL was found to have a significant effect on the conditions that are expected to cause desiccation. The temperature coefficient of the water retention curve was also found to have a significant effect, yet this parameter is not well defined. Poisson’s ratio was found to affect the risk of desiccation in proportion to the applied stress. As reported by previous researchers, the initial degree of saturation of a GCL was found to be important to desiccation; however, the effect is diminished at low applied stress. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2012-09-28 18:52:20.106

The use of geosynthetics in landfill construction introduces potential planes of weakness. As a result, there is a requirement to assess the stability along the soil/geosynthetic and geosynthetic/geosynthetic interfaces. Stability is governed by the shear strength along the weakest interface in the system. Repeatability interface shear strength testing of a geomembrane/geotextile interface at low normal stresses suitable for capping systems showed considerable variability of measured geosynthetic interface shear strengths, suggesting that minor factors can have a significant influence on the measured shear strength. This study demonstrates that more than one test per normal stress is necessary if a more accurate and reliable interface shear strength value is to be obtained. Carefully controlled inter-laboratory geosynthetic interface shear strength comparison tests undertaken on large direct shear devices that differ in the kinematic degrees of freedom of the top box, showed the fixed top box design to consistently over estimate the available interface shear strength compared to the vertically movable top box design. Results obtained from measurement of the normal stress on the interface during shear with use of load cells in the lower box of the fixed top box design, raise key questions on the accuracy, reliability and proper interpretation of the interface shear strength data used in landfill design calculations. Tests on the geocomposite/sand interface have shown the interface friction angle to vary with the orientation of the geocomposite's main core, in relation to the direction of shearing. Close attention needs to be paid to the onsite geocomposite placement in confined spaces and capping slope corners, as grid orientation on the slope becomes particularly important when sliding is initiated. Attempts to measure the pore water pressure during staged consolidation and shear along a clay/geomembrane interface in the large direct shear device suggest that this interface is a partial drainage path.

Les constructions d'infrastructures linéaires de transport sont de plus en plus contraintes par la traversée de terrains aux caractéristiques mécaniques médiocres, pouvant mener à des tassements importants où à la formation de fontis en base de l'ouvrage. Un renforcement géosynthétique peut alors être mis en œuvre sur cavités potentielles ou en renforcement de plateforme de transfert de charges sur inclusions rigides. L'objectif de cette thèse CIFRE (Conventions Industrielles de Formation par la Recherche) menée dans le cadre du projet de recherche FUI (Fond Unitaire Interministériel) GéoInov est de mieux appréhender le fonctionnement de ces ouvrages renforcés par géosynthétique afin d'en optimiser le dimensionnement. Dans le cadre de la thèse, différentes expérimentations en vraie grandeur ont permis d'appréhender le comportement cinématique et mécanique des renforcements géosynthétiques dans le cas d'effondrements localisés sous un remblai granulaire non cohésif ou une couche de sol traité, et dans le cas des renforcements des plateformes de transfert de charges sur inclusions rigides. Une importante base de données expérimentales a ainsi été constituée. Des simulations numériques discrètes des expérimentations sur cavités et inclusions rigides ont été menés afin de préciser le rôle des renforcements et des mécanismes mis en jeu dans ces structures renforcées. Dans le cas des effondrements localisés, la calibration du modèle à partir des données expérimentales a permis de préciser les mécanismes de transferts de charges au sein du remblai, la géométrie de la distribution de contrainte sur le renforcement géosynthétique et les mécanismes de rupture pour le cas des sols traités. Au final, la combinaison des approches expérimentales et numériques a abouti à une meilleure compréhension de certains mécanismes de transfert de charges ce qui a permis d'apporter des améliorations aux méthodes de dimensionnement analytiques que ce soit pour le cas des remblais granulaires non cohésifs ou pour le cas d'une couche de sol traité renforcé. Des avancées et un enrichissement des codes de calcul ont été également réalisés notamment par l'intégration des grilles de renforcement. / Constructions of transport infrastructures more and more occurs in areas where soils have rather low mechanical characteristics, leading to considerable settlements or the formation of voids. Geosynthetic reinforcements then provide a technical solution over sinkholes or within a load transfer platform over rigid inclusions. This CIFRE (French Research Education by Industrial Convention) PhD is lead as part of the French FUI (Inter-Ministry Fund) research project GeoInov. The purpose is to get better understanding of the mechanical behaviour of geosynthetic-reinforced structures in order to optimise their design. During this thesis, different full-scale experimentations enabled to understand the kinematic and mechanical behaviour of geosynthetic reinforcements over sinkholes under a non-cohesive embankment or a treated soil layer, or geosynthetic-reinforced load transfer platforms over rigid inclusions. Thus a consequent experimental data base was built. The experimentations were then simulated using discrete numerical models in order to specify the role of the geosynthetic reinforcement and mechanical mechanisms within the reinforced structures. For sinkholes, the numerical model could be fitted with experimental data, which enabled to point out load transfer mechanisms within the embankment, the of the load distribution on the geosynthetic reinforcement and failure mechanisms for the case of reinforced treated soil layers. Finally, the combined experimental and numerical approaches lead to a better understanding of some aspects of load transfers within the embankment, which enabled to optimise analytical design methods for geosynthetic reinforcements within a non-cohesive embankment or a treated soil layer overlying a void. Progresses were also made and discrete calculation codes enriched by the integration of geogrids.

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.

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.

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.