Effect of geogrid reinforcement on the deformation behavior of landfill covers

The objective of this paper is to study the effect of geogrid reinforcement on the deformation behavior of landfill covers subjected to differential settlements through centrifuge model studies. A Motor-based differential settlement simulator was used for inducing continuous differential settlements in a high gravity environment. Centrifuge tests were carried-out on a 0.6 m thick soil barrier with and without geogrid inclusion; having an overburden pressure equivalent to that of a cover system. With the help of instrumentation and by digital image analysis, deformation profiles, strain distribution and water breakthrough of the soil barrier were analyzed throughout the deformation process, to assess their performance. An attempt has been made to determine the limiting distortion level at which cracks are initiated for both un-reinforced and geogrid reinforced soil barriers. The use of geogrid as a reinforcement layer within the soil barrier of landfill covers has sustained higher distortion level.