Quantification of geosynthetic behavior

This paper presents state-of-the-art examples to show that, in a wide variety of cases, the behavior of geosynthetics can be quantified using theoretical analyses. Seven examples are reviewed: geotextile filter retention, geotextile filter clogging, geomembrane stress–strain behavior, geomembrane strain concentrations, geomembrane stress cracking pattern, geomembrane wrinkles, and geosynthetic resistance to differential settlement. The selected examples are such that the important behavioral aspect is not the behavior of the structure in which the geosynthetic is incorporated, but the behavior of the geosynthetic itself. In each case, the phenomenon or problem is described, the theoretical analysis is presented, and the results are discussed. An important message conveyed by this paper is that the solution of engineering problems can only result from rational analyses, not from common sense. Note: This paper is an updated version of a paper initially published as a Special Lecture in the proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Geotextiles Geomembranes and Related Products, held in Singapore in 1994.