Analysis of geotextile-soil interaction in pull-out tests

A laboratory research program was undertaken to determine the influence of geotextile fabric structure and geometry on the interfacial shear strength between geotextiles and dry sand. Pullout tests were carried out in a large pullout box. Three types of woven geotextiles (with same tensile strength and different fabric structure) and one nonwoven geotextile were selected for the study. All of the four geotextiles have same polymer composition. Coarse, medium and fine sands were used as the cover material. Effect of fabric structure and geometry on pullout test results were analyzed in terms of peak or ultimate pullout resistance and strain developed at different points along the length of the geotextiles. Pullout tests were conducted at 7, 21, 35 and 49 kPa normal pressures.