Performance and interaction of a polymer geogrid based on laboratory tests and a full-scale test embankments | |
| Author | Menil, Nelson Jose L. |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. GT-93-10 |
| Subject(s) | Soils--Testing Soils--Reinforcement |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Engineering, School of Civil Engineering |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. GT-93-10 |
| Abstract | This study explored the applicability of Polymer Geogrid, specifically Tenax TT 201 SAMP, as reinforcement materials with weathered Bangkok clay as backfill material for the construction of embankment/wall with vertical facing supported on soft clay foundations. Full scale and fully instrumented test embankment with 6 meters height was built to evaluate its performance and interaction mechanisms. Several large scale direct shear and pullout tests have been done to obtain the direct shear coefficient and the pullout coefficient at the interfaces. Calibration of resistance strain gages at different applied normal pressures have been conducted by laboratory pullout model test in order to determine the tensile force in the geogrid induced in the field . The methods for evaluating the pullout resistance of geogrid are presented and implemented to interpret the results of the pullout test. The performance evaluation of the full scale test embankment covers the period of nine months since the beginning of construction. The test embankment is stable despite large lateral deformation and settlements. The latest monitored value indicated a maximum horizontal ground displacement and surface settlements of 160 mm and 75 cm, respectively. The former is located between 3 to 4 meter below the ground while the latter is located at the center of the embankment. Within the specified time frame of this study, the reinforcement was found to be loaded at about 2.3 kN/m corresponding to about 4.2% of the ultimate load of 55 kN/m. In addition, the location of the failure plane or the maximum tension line neither follow the Coulomb/Rankine using Tie Back Wedge Method or bilinear failure criteria as proposed by the Coherent Gravity Method. The findings of this study indicate that the polymer geogrid in general and the Tenax TT 201 SAMP in particular can be a viable alternative as reinforcement material for the aforementioned earth reinforcement system. Finally, several improvements on the methods of construction are recommended from the considerations of the actual behavior of the structure. |
| Year | 1994 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis; no.GT-93-10 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Civil Engineering |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Geotechnical and Transportation Engineering (GT) |
| Chairperson(s) | Bergado, Dennes T. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Balasubramaniam, A.S. ;Noppadol Phien-wej |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The Government of Japan; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1994 |