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Strength Envelopes from Single and Multi Geosynthetic Interface Tests

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Abstract

This paper presents a comparison of single- and multi-interface strength tests for a proposed landfill liner system configuration. The comparison includes peak and large displacement combination strength envelopes from single- and multi-interface direct shear tests for the same geosynthetic/geosynthetic, geosynthetic clay liner (GCL)/geomembrane, and soil/geosynthetic interfaces. This comparison shows relative agreement between strength envelopes derived from single- and multi-interface tests for the materials tested. Single-interface test results appear to be generally more conservative. Potentially significant differences in the large-displacement strength envelopes were noted that could be a result of the increased strain required to mobilize peak stresses in the multi-interface tests compared to the single-interface tests in combination with the limited maximum displacement allowed by the direct shear testing devices. The test results are also used to illustrate the effect of different soil types and GCL hydration on the peak and large displacement strength envelopes.

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Abbreviations

CSL:

Compacted soil liner

GCL:

Geosynthetic clay liner

GM:

Geomembrane

HDPE:

High density polyethylene

k :

Hydraulic conductivity

LCRS:

Liquid collection and recovery system

LD:

Large displacement

MSW:

Municipal solid waste

NWGT:

Nonwoven geotextile

t 100 :

Theoretical time for 100 % primary consolidation

τ :

Shear strength

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Acknowledgments

The authors especially appreciate and acknowledge the valuable assistance provided by Cassandra M. Dumoulin at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the final preparation and formatting of this paper.

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Correspondence to Fawad S. Niazi.

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Stark, T.D., Niazi, F.S. & Keuscher, T.C. Strength Envelopes from Single and Multi Geosynthetic Interface Tests. Geotech Geol Eng 33, 1351–1367 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-015-9906-4

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