WTI

Development of Test Protocols for Characterization of Soil/Geosynthetic Interaction and Intrinsic…

Primary Investigator Contact Information

Eli Cuelho
  • Western Transportation Institute
  • PO Box 174250
  • Bozeman, Montana 59717
  • 406-994-7886
  • elic@coe.montana.edu

External Project Contact(s)

Robin Kline
  • USDOT/Research and Innovative Technologies Administration, Office of Research, Development, & Technology
  • 400 Seventh Street Southwest Room 2440
  • , Washington DC 20590-0001
  • 202-366-2372
  • robin.kline@dot.gov

Report(s)

  1. Developing Test Protocols to Determine Geosynthetic Material Properties……
    1. Eli Cuelho and Suresh Ganeshan
    2. 428464_Executive_Summary.pdf
  2. Developing Test Protocols to Determine Geosynthetic Material Properties……
    1. Eli Cuelho and Suresh Ganeshan
    2. 428464_Final_Report.pdf

Project Objective

To provide improved testing procedures for determining geosynthetic material properties and geosynthetic/soil interaction.

Project Abstract

Geosynthetic applications in transportation facilities require the definition of geosynthetic material properties and properties related to the interaction of the geosynthetic with the surrounding soil. Previous work on geosynthetic reinforcement of flexible pavements has shown the importance of these properties on reinforcement benefit. Currently, the tests performed to provide data on these properties require special equipment and are expensive to conduct. Test methods and protocols need to be developed which simplify these tests. The new tests need to be suitable for use by practicing engineers, yet need to still capture the mechanical properties that govern design. Results from this research will include improved testing procedures for determining geosynthetic material properties and geosynthetic/soil interaction. Improved equipment may prove beneficial in terms of reducing the number of separate tests that need to be run as well as focusing current experiments to capture only the necessary parameters governing design.

Task Descriptions

  1. Final Report
  2. Conduct Experiments/Collect Data
  3. Develop Testing Equipment
  4. Preliminary Analysis of Data

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Start Date:1/1/2000
End Date:9/30/2001
Extended Date:9/30/2004

Student Involvement

True

Relationship to Other Research Projects

True

Technology Transfer Activities

True

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Geotextiles, Geomembranes, Flexible Pavements

Partners

Research and Innovative Technology Administration