Behavior of interface between denti-strip geosynthetic reinforcements and soil under low surcharge

In conventional reinforced soil,the reinforcements are often horizontally laid in the soil.A new concept of soil reinforced with denti-strip geosynthetics was proposed.In the proposed denti-strip reinforced soil,besides the conventional horizontal reinforcements,some vertical reinforcing elements were also placed upon the horizontal ones.A series of pullout tests under low surcharge of denti-strip geosynthetics(e.g.,plexiglass,) were performed to investigate the interface behavior between sand and denti-strip inclusions in terms of different forms of reinforcements.Comparison was made between surcharge-displacement relationship and pullout resistances of the soil reinforced with horizontal inclusions and with denti-strip.The influences of the height,horizontal space of vertical reinforcing elements on the interface behavior between sand and denti-strip inclusions were discussed.From the test results,the coefficient of apparent pullout friction was evaluated.The interaction mechanism between sand and denti-strip was analyzed,and a new theoretical model was proposed to determine the pullout resistance.The comparison between theoretical values and experimental results was in good agreement.