Avaliou-se experimentalmente o comportamento da resistência ao cisalhamento de interface em reforços unidirecionais utilizados em estruturas de contenção. Para tal, foram realizados ensaios de arrancamento em fitas metálicas, utilizadas para soluções em terra armada e chumbadores, para soluções em solo grampeado. Os ensaios, em campo e laboratório, permitiram constatar a pouca influência do diâmetro dos chumbadores no valor da resistência ao cisalhamento de interface (qs). Ainda em relação aos chumbadores, os resultados mostraram que o volume de calda de cimento para preenchimento da cavidade escavada está diretamente associado ao ganho de qs. Os ensaios em fitas metálicas, em obras executados com solos finos, mostraram que o seu uso requer um estudo mais detalhado do seu comportamento, visto que os parâmetros sugeridos pela NBR 9286/86 não condiz com os resultados experimentais desta pesquisa. / This study evaluated experimentally the behavior of interface shear strength in unidirectional reinforcements used in reinforced soil structures. Pullout tests were carried out on reinforcements used in reinforced earth and soil nailing techniques. Nail diameter has little influence on interface shear strength (qs), according to field and laboratory tests. Additionally, increasing grout volume in nail cavity was directly linked to gain of qs. Tests on reinforced earth reinforcements using fine-grained soils showed that the results do not match with the suggestion of NBR 9286/86.

La presente investigación presenta la influencia en el comportamiento mecánico de un suelo proveniente del Caserío de Callampampa, Llama, Cajamarca al adicionar caucho triturado. Este suelo es arcilloso de baja plasticidad y sus parámetros físicos fueron determinados con los ensayos, tales como Análisis Granulométrico por medio del Hidrómetro (MTC E 109 -2016) y por Tamizado (MTC E 107 -2016, NTP 339.128) y la determinación del Límite Liquido, Límite Plástico e Índice de Plasticidad (NTP 339.129). El ensayo de Proctor Modificado (NTP 339.141), Corte Directo (NTP 339.171) se realizó como parte de la metodología con el fin de conocer los parámetros mecánicos de las muestras y explicar la influencia que causa el caucho triturado en la resistencia al esfuerzo de corte, la cohesión, ángulo de fricción, etc. Las muestras ensayadas fueron la del suelo natural (S100) y las mezclas con adición de caucho triturado en un 0.5%, 1.5%, 2.5% y 3.5%. Los resultados obtenidos indican que la densidad seca máxima que ofrece la mezcla adicionada con 3.5% de caucho triturado (S100/C3.5) se incrementa en un 1.76%, el contenido de humedad óptimo disminuye en un 5.75%, la resistencia al esfuerzo de corte se incrementa en un 35.2%, la cohesión aumenta en un 64% y el ángulo de fricción disminuye en un 9.1% respecto a la muestra S100. Por otro lado, para el ensayo de CBR (NTP 339.145) se tomó en cuenta los resultados obtenidos en los ensayos de Proctor Modificado para hallar los parámetros del suelo al esfuerzo de penetración y ver la viabilidad como terreno para una subrasante. Los porcentajes fueron 1.5%, 2.5% y 3.5% cuyos resultados son comparados respecto al suelo natural (S100). Los resultados obtenidos a 2mm de penetración con un 95% de M.D.S fue para un S100 de 3.3% y con la mezcla de S100/C3.5 se incrementa a 9.4%. En conclusión, el suelo arcilloso de baja plasticidad mejora sus propiedades mecánicas cuando se le adiciona caucho triturado. / The present investigation presents the influence on the mechanical behavior of a soil from the Caserio de Callampampa, Llama, Cajamarca by adding powder rubber. This soil is low plasticity clay and its physical parameters were determined with the tests, such as Granulometric Analysis by means of the Hydrometer (MTC E 109-2016) and by Screening (MTC E 107-2016, NTP 339.128) and the determination of the Limit Liquid, Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index (NTP 339.129). The Modified Proctor (NTP 339.141) and Shear Box (NTP 339.171) test was performed as part of the methodology in order to know the mechanical parameters of the samples and explain the influence caused by the crushed rubber in the shear strength, cohesion, friction angle, etc. The samples tested were that of natural soil (S100) and mixtures with the addition of crushed rubber at 0.5%, 1.5%, 2.5% and 3.5%. The results obtained indicate that the maximum dry density offered by the S100 / C3.5 mixture is increased by 1.76% with respect to the S100 sample and the optimum moisture content decreases by 5.75%. Likewise, the resistance to shear stress offered by the S100 / C3.5 mixture is increased by 35.2% compared to the S100 sample, cohesion increases by 64% and the friction angle decreases by 9.1%. On the other hand, for the CBR test the results obtained in the Modified Proctor tests will be required to find the parameters of the soil at the shear strength and see the viability as a terrain for a subgrade. The percentages were 1.5%, 2.5% and 3.5% whose results are compared with respect to natural soil. The results obtained from the 2 mm CBR of penetration with 95% of M.D.S was for an S100 of 3.3% and with the mixture of S100 / C3.5 it was increased to 9.4%. In conclusion, the clay floor of low plasticity improves its mechanical properties when crushed rubber is added. / Tesis

The 1999 Kocaeli Earthquake (M=7.4) struck northwestern Turkey on August 17, 1999 and caused significant damage in urban areas located along Izmit Bay. The sites that suffered the greatest damages were located primarily in areas of poorest soil conditions, typically containing soft clays and silts and/or loose, liquefiable sands. Because the affected region is heavily developed with infrastructure and there is a preponderance of poor soils, a wide range of soil improvement measures had been used to mitigate anticipated earthquake damages throughout the region. Following the earthquake and significant aftershocks, Virginia Tech researchers traveled to Turkey to investigate the affected area to document geotechnical field performance. Primary focus of the Virginia tech team was given to investigating the performance of improved soil sites and reinforced soil structures. The sites were subjected to ground motions ranging from about 0.10g to 0.35g. The site locations ranged from 0 to 35 km from the zone of energy release. This dissertation presents in detail, the findings from the two most instructive sites. The investigation of these sties involved field reconnaissance, field and laboratory testing of soils, seismic analysis, numerical modeling, and other analytical work. / Ph. D.

Yes / Carpet waste fibres have a higher volume to weight ratios and once discarded into landfills, these fibres occupy a larger volume than other materials of similar weight. This research evaluates the efficiency of two types of carpet waste fibre as sustainable soil reinforcing materials to improve the shear strength of clay. A series of consolidated undrained (CU) triaxial compression tests were carried out to study the shear strength of reinforced clays with 1%, to 5% carpet waste fibres. The results indicated that carpet waste fibres improve the effective shear stress ratio and deviator stress of the host soil significantly. Addition of 1%, 3% and 5% carpet fibres could improve the effective stress ratio of the unreinforced soil by 17.6%, 53.5% and 70.6%, respectively at an initial effective consolidation stress of 200 kPa. In this study, a nonlinear regression model was developed based on a modified form of the hyperbolic model to predict the relationship between effective shear stress ratio, deviator stress and axial strain of fibre-reinforced soil samples with various fibre contents when subjected to various initial effective consolidation stresses. The proposed model was validated using the published experimental data, with predictions using this model found to be in excellent agreement.

Use of geosynthetics for reinforcing soil beds supporting shallow foundations has gained tremendous popularity in recent times. In this thesis, to study and understand the behaviour of geosynthetics reinforced soil foundations, model load tests are carried out on square footings resting on sand beds reinforced with geosynthetics. The effects of various parameters like type and tensile strength of geosynthetic material, depth of reinforced zone, spacing of reinforcement layers, width of reinforcement and form of reinforcement on the performance of square footings on reinforced sand beds are studied. Results from these tests are analyzed to understand the effect of various parameters in improving the bearing capacity and reducing the settlement of footings. An equation is developed to estimate the ultimate bearing capacity of square footings resting on geosynthetic reinforced sand beds by multiple regression analysis of the experimental data. The model loading tests on reinforced soil foundations are simulated in the numerical model using the computer program FLAC3D (Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua in 3D). Finally parametric studies on a full scale reinforced soil foundation are conducted. From the experimental, analytical and numerical investigations carried out in this thesis, some important conclusions are drawn regarding the effective depth of reinforced zone, optimum spacing and quantity of reinforcement layers. Relative efficiency of various forms of reinforcement is discussed. Validity of the regression and numerical models developed is verified through experimental data from present study and also for data from other researchers.

This dissertation evaluates the behavior of Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil (GRS) retaining structures under various soil stress states, with specific interest in the development and distribution of soil and reinforcement stresses within these structures. The stress distribution within the GRS structures is the basis of much of the industry’s current design. Unfortunately, the stress information is often not directly accessible through most of current physical testing and full-scale monitoring methods. Numerical simulations like the finite element method have provided good predictions of conservatively designed GRS structures under working stress conditions. They have provided little insight, however, into the stress information under large soil strain conditions. This is because in most soil constitutive models the post-peak behavior of soils is not well represented. Also, appropriate numerical procedures are not generally available in finite element codes, the codes used in geotechnical applications. Such procedures are crucial to properly evaluating comparatively flexible structures like GRS structures. Consequently, this study tries to integrate newly developed numerical procedures to improve the prediction of performance of GRS structures under large soil strain conditions. There are three specific objectives: 1) to develop a new softening soil model for modeling the soil’s post-peak behavior; 2) to implement a stress integration algorithm, modified forward Euler method with error control, for obtaining better stress integration results; and 3) to implement a nonlinear reinforcement model for representing the nonlinear behavior of reinforcements under large strains. The numerical implementations were made into a finite element research code, named Nonlinear Analysis of Geotechnical Problems (ANLOG). The updated finite element model was validated against actual measurement data from centrifuge testing on GRS slopes (under both working stress and failure conditions). Examined here is the soil and reinforcement stress information. This information was obtained from validated finite element simulations under various stress conditions. An understanding of the actual developed soil and reinforcement stresses offers important insights into the basis of design (e.g., examining in current design guidelines the design methods of internal stability). Such understanding also clarifies some controversial issues in current design. This dissertation specifically addresses the following issues: 1) the evolution of stresses and strains along failure surface; 2) soil strength properties (e.g., peak or residual shear strength) that govern the stability of GRS structures; 3) the mobilization of reinforcement tensions. The numerical result describes the stress response by evaluating the development of soil stress level S. This level is defined as the ratio of the current mobilized soil shear strength to the peak soil shear strength. As loading increases, areas of high stress levels are developed and propagated along the potential failure surface. After the stress levels reach unity (i.e., soil reaches its peak strength), the beginning of softening of soil strength is observed at both the top and toe of the slope. Afterward, the zones undergoing soil softening are linked, forming a band through the entire structure (i.e., a fully developed failure surface). Once the band has formed and there are a few loading increments, the system soon reaches, depending on the tensile strength of the reinforcements, instability. The numerical results also show that the failure surface corresponds to the locus of intense soil strains and the peak reinforcement strain at each reinforcement layer. What dominates the stability of GRS structures is the soil peak strength before the completed linkage of soil-softening regions. Afterward, the stability of GRS structures is mainly sustained by the soil shear strength in the post-peak region and the tensile strength of reinforcements. It was also observed that the mobilization of reinforcement tensions is disproportional to the mobilization of soil strength. Tension in the reinforcements is barely mobilized before soil along the failure surface first reaches its peak shear strength. When the average mobilization of soil shear strength along the potential failure surface exceeds approximately 95% of its peak strength, the reinforcement tensions start to be rapidly mobilized. Even so, when the average mobilization of soil strength reaches 100% of its peak shear strength, still over 30% of average reinforcement strength has not yet been mobilized. The results were used to explain important aspects of the current design methods (i.e., earth pressure method and limit equilibrium analysis) that result in conservatively designed GRS structures. / text

[pt] Este estudo apresenta o comportamento de um solo argiloso reforçado e não reforçado com fibras de coco verde (resíduo proveniente do consumo da água de coco), através da realização de ensaios de caracterização e ensaios mecânicos de compactação e de ensaios triaxiais isotropicamente drenados. A fibra de coco utilizada foi obtida por processo mecânico na empresa ECOFIBRA, que possui uma parceria com a Companhia de Limpeza Urbana da cidade do Rio de Janeiro (COMLURB) em projeto piloto de coleta seletiva das cascas de coco verde. O material recebido foi estudado de duas maneiras, as fibras foram inseridas ao solo moídas e cortadas (no comprimento aproximado de 2cm). O solo argiloso, de origem coluvionar, foi retirado do campo experimental da PUC-Rio. Busca-se estabelecer padrões de comportamento que possam explicar a influência da adição da fibra de coco verde, relacionando-a com os parâmetros de resistência ao cisalhamento do solo e dos compósitos. Os ensaios foram realizados em amostras compactadas na densidade máxima e umidade ótima, com teores de fibra moída de 0,5 por cento e 1 por cento e teores de fibra cortada de 0,5 por cento, 0,75 por cento, 1 por cento, 1,25 por cento e 1,5 por cento, em relação ao peso seco do solo. Observa-se um incremento na resistência ao cisalhamento das misturas solo-fibra, uma vez que se observa um discreto aumento do ângulo de atrito e em um expressivo aumento da coesão das misturas reforçadas, em comparação aos dados obtidos para o solo puro. Os resultados se mostraram satisfatórios para aplicação do solo reforçado com fibras de coco em camadas de aterros temporários submetidos a carregamentos estáticos, dando assim uma destinação mais sustentável a este resíduo, atendendo às questões ambientais e sócio-econômicas. / [en] This study presents the behavior of reinforced and unreinforced clay soil with green coconut fibers (waste from consumption of coconut water), by conducting tests for the characterization and mechanical compaction tests and isotropically drained triaxial tests. The coconut fiber used is obtained by a mechanical process in ECOFIBRA company, which has a partnership with the Urban Cleaning Company of the city of Rio de Janeiro (COMLURB) in a pilot project about separate collection of green coconut shells. The received material was studied in two ways; the fibers were inserted into the milled and cut (in the approximate length of 2 cm). The clay soil, with colluvium origin, was removed from the experimental field of PUC-Rio. Seeks to establish patterns of behavior that might explain the influence of the addition of green coconut fiber, relating it to the parameters of shear strength and deformation of soil and composites. The tests were performed on samples compressed at maximum density and optimum moisture content in the milled fiber of 0.5 percent and 1percent fiber content and the cut of 0.5 per cent, 0.75 per cent, 1 per cent, 1.25 per cent and 1.5 per cent on dry weight of the soil. Observed na increase in shear strength of the soil-fiber mixtures, since it was observed a modest increase in friction angle and a significant increase in the cohesion of reinforced mixtures, ompared to the data obtained for the pure soil. The results ere satisfactory for application of soil einforced with coconut fiber layers temporary landfills subjected to static loads, thus giving a more sustainable destination to this residue, given the environmental and socio-economic.

[pt] Este estudo apresenta o comportamento de solos reforçados com borracha moída de pneus inservíveis, através de estudo experimental. Os solos utilizados foram: um solo maduro argiloso de origem coluvionar e uma areia fina, limpa e mal graduada Foram realizados ensaios de caracterização física e mecânica, compactação Proctor Normal e ensaios triaxiais consolidados isotropicamente drenados (CID) para buscar estabelecer padrões de comportamento que possam explicar a influência da adição de borracha moída de pneu, relacionando-a com os parâmetros de resistência ao cisalhamento. Os ensaios triaxiais CID foram realizados em amostras de solo argiloso compactadas na densidade máxima seca e umidade ótima, com teores de borracha moída de 0 por cento, 5 por cento, 10 por cento, 20 por cento, 30 por cento e 40 por cento, em relação ao peso seco do solo. Os ensaios triaxiais CID em amostras de areia foram realizadas para uma densidade relativa de 50 por cento e umidade de 10 por cento, com teores de borracha moída de 0 por cento, 5 por cento e 10 por cento, em relação ao peso seco do solo. Os resultados mostraram que o teor de borracha e o nível de tensão confinante influenciam o comportamento mecânico final dos compósitos, sendo que não há uma tendência de comportamento bem definida ao analisar cada fator independentemente. Assim, para os compósitos de solo argiloso a inserção de borracha é mais efetiva para tensões de confinamento até 200 kPa, sendo que para tensões maiores a presença de borracha é prejudicial. O teor de borracha ótimo situa-se entre 10 por cento e 20 por cento. Para os compósitos de solo arenoso a inserção de borracha é mais efetiva para tensões de confinamento entre 100 e 200 kPa e o teor de borracha ótimo está entre 0 por cento e 5 por cento. Todos os compósitos possuem características de resistência que poderiam cumprir as exigências de determinadas obras geotécnicas, como por exemplo, em camadas de aterros sanitários, taludes e aterros sobre solos moles. / [en] This study presents the behavior of soils reinforced with ground rubber from waste tires through experimental study. Tow type of soils were used: a coluvionar and lateritic soil and a fine, clean and barely graduated sand. Physical characterization, Standard Proctor and consolidated drained triaxial tests were performed to establish patterns of behavior that may explain the influence of the addition of tire ground rubber, linking it with shear strength parameters. The CD triaxial was performed on samples of clayey soil compacted within the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content with ground rubber ratios of 0 per cent, 5 per cent, 10 per cent, 20 per cent, 30 per cent and 40 per cent by dry weight of soil. CD triaxial tests on sand samples were made to a relative density of 50 per cent and 10 per cent of moisture content, with ground rubber ratios of 0 per cent, 5 per cent and 10 per cent by dry weight of soil. The results showed the rubber content and level of confining pressure influence on the final mechanical behavior of the composite. There is not a define behavior when the composites are analyzed individually. Thus, for the clay composites the ground rubber is more effective for confinement stresses up to 200 kPa, for higher confinement stresses the presence of rubber is detrimental. The optimum rubber content is between 10 per cent and 20 per cent. For sand composites rubber inclusions are more effective confinement stresses between 100 and 200 kPa and the optimum rubber content is between 0 per cent and 5 per cent. All composites have strength characteristics that could accomplish the requirements of certain geotechnical projects like landfills, slopes and embankments on soft soil. Therefore, the use of ground rubber, in these works, contributes with the reduction of consumption of natural resources and consequently reduce the costs of transportation and earthmoving.

[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.

O uso de reforços geossintéticos tem se apresentado como uma solução eficiente que permite reduzir os custos de implantação de estruturas de contenção. Seu comportamento pode ser estudado com a utilização de softwares de elementos finitos na intenção de obter configurações ainda mais econômicas. Neste trabalho foram simulados muros de solo reforçados com geossintéticos (MSRG) pelo método dos elementos finitos (software Plaxis 8.2), analisando-se como parâmetro o deslocamento máximo da face dos muros e a máxima força mobilizada no reforço. Inicialmente, desenvolveu-se e calibrou-se um modelo numérico a partir de um modelo físico construído e monitorado encontrado na literatura. Em seguida construiu-se um modelo numérico de MSRG hipotético e realizaram-se estudos paramétricos com as variáveis: tipo de solo, priorizando-se solos finos tropicais; rigidez e espaçamento do reforço; e inclinação e altura do muro. Os resultados corroboraram a bem sucedida prática nacional de construção de muros reforçados com solos finos tropicais, sendo que a coesão se mostrou um parâmetro importante no comportamento de MSRG construídos com solos finos. / The use of geosynthetic reinforcements is an efficient solution that reduces the costs of implantation of containment structures. Their behavior can be studied by the use of finite element software, with the goal to obtain more economical configurations. In this study, geosynthetic reinforced retaining walls (MSRG) were simulated by the finite element method (software Plaxis 8.2), analyzing as a parameter the maximum face displacement and the maximum force mobilized in the reinforcement. Initially, a numeric model was developed and calibrated from a constructed and monitored physical model of the literature. After, a numerical model of hypothetical MSRG was constructed and parametric studies were done with the following variables: soil type, prioritizing tropical fine soils; reinforcement stiffness and spacing, and slope and height of the wall. The results corroborated the successful brazilian practice at the building reinforced MSRG with tropical fine soils, due cohesion being an important parameter in the behavior of MSRGs constructed with fine soils.