Finite element study on direct shear tests for multi-layered geosynthetic liners Available to Purchase

Multi-layered geosynthetic liners are used widely in waste landfills. The shear stress mobilized at the top interface will be transmitted from the top to the bottom layer through frictional resistance on the interfaces between materials. It is important to understand fully the behavior of multi-layered geosynthetic liners subject to shear stress. In this study, direct shear tests with four layers were first simulated using a two-dimensional plane strain finite element model (FEM). The FEM code can consider the strain-softening behavior of the interfaces using a hyperbolic model. Next, the validity of the FEM calculations was verified by comparing the calculated results with the mechanical test results. Finally, FEM parametric analyses were performed in which the length of the specimen, the stiffness of the third layer and the thickness of the geomembrane were varied to investigate how these factors affect the tensile force in the second layer and the distribution of shear stress between materials.