Finite-Element　Modelling　of　Soil-Geogrid　Interaction　with Application　to　Interpret　the　Pullout　Behaviour　of　Geogrids

A　two　dimensional　plane-stress　finite-element　type　of　analysis　is　presented　to　predict　the　behaviour　of　geogrids　embedded　in　fill　material　under　pullout　loading　conditions.　　The　interactions　between　fill　material　and　geogrid　are　simulated　by　nonlinear　springs.　　The　stiffnesses　of　the　springs　can　be　determined　from　simple　tests　in　a　specially　designed　shear　box.　　The　proposed　FE　analysis　is　applied　to　interpret　test　results　from　a　large　scale　pullout　test　rig.　　The　predicted　behaviour　of　the　geogrid　under　pullout　load　agrees　well　with　the　observed　data　including　the　load-displacement　properties,　the　displacement　distribution　along　the　longitudinal　direction　and　the　mobilization　of　the　frictional　and　bearing　resistance.