Deformation of geosynthetic-reinforced clay subjected to wetting-drying

Results from laboratory model tests and numerical analysis are presented to assess the effect of wetting-drying on geogrid-reinforced clay. Wetting-drying induced deformations of clay specimen and geogrid strains were measured in the laboratory. Numerical analysis was also carried out to develop the understanding of deformation of the reinforced clay under wetting condition. User defined constitutive models which represent the wetting effects on expansive clay were written in a finite-difference program, Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continuum (FLAC). Numerical results are compared here with the laboratory model test results which show reasonably good comparison.