Stress-strain response of geocell-reinforced normally consolidated silty clay

Abstract

Objective The mechanical behavior of normally consolidated silty clay reinforced with geocell is of significance for engineering construction. Methods An analytical method was formulated for the prediction of stress-strain responses in geocell-reinforced normally consolidated clay in this paper. In addition, a series of conventional triaxial compression tests were conducted on geocell-reinforced normally consolidated clay to investigate the reinforcement effects and validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The predicted stress-strain responses are in good agreement with those measured in the tests, affirming the efficacy of the proposed method. In addition, parametric studies were conducted to investigate the effects of the mechanical properties of the backfill pocket size and the stiffness of the geocell on the stress-strain response of the geocell-reinforced clay. Results The study results show that the geocell-reinforced normally consolidated clay exhibits strain hardening. The internal friction angle of the reinforced clay remained similar to unreinforced clay, whereas apparent cohesion increased due to geocell confinement.Furthermore, the reinforcement effect on the clay intensified with increasing axial strain and reducing confining pressure. The strength and stiffness of the reinforced clay increase with the increase in the nonlinear elastic parameter k and the reduction in Rf. Conclusion The results will be guidance for engineering construction.

Keywords

• geocell
• reinforced normally consolidated silty clay
• stress-strain response
• triaxial compression test
• parameter sensitivity analysis
• axial strain