The use of tunnel spoil as subgrade filler can save resources and promote the sustainable and low-carbon development of transportation infrastructure. To investigate the mechanical properties evolution law of tunnel spoil as subgrade filler, SEM and large-scale triaxial tests were conducted to analyze its macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, and particle breakage behavior. The study focuses on the impact of geogrid on the shear strength, deformation, and particle breakage of tunnel spoil and its working mechanism. The results indicate that an increase in soft rock content reduces the shear strength and weakens its shear induced dilatancy. The average peak shear strength of tested geogrid reinforced dense specimens can be increased by 10%, and the residual shear strength can be increased by about 30%. The relative breakage index increases in an S-shaped pattern with increase in soft rock content. Higher confining pressure and soft rock content lead to more particle breakage, however, particle breakage in the reinforced specimens can be significantly reduced. The research findings contribute to the enhanced design and implementation of waste material repurposing, thereby advancing the sustainable development of traffic infrastructure.
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1 August 2025
Research Article|
February 10 2025
Study on the mechanical properties and particle breakage of geogrid-reinforced tunnel spoil Available to Purchase
Z. Xie;
Z. Xie
1 PhD student, Department of Geotechnical Engineering,
Tongji University
, Shanghai, P.R. China
, E-mail: zhiweixie1963@163.com
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X. Lü;
2 Professor, Department of Geotechnical Engineering,
Tongji University
, Shanghai, P.R. China
Corresponding author X. Lü (xilinlu@tongji.edu.cn)
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Y. Zhang;
Y. Zhang
3 Lecturer, School of Civil Engineering,
Suzhou University of Science and Technology
, Suzhou, P.R. China
, E-mail: 1766722044@qq.com
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X. Liu;
X. Liu
4 Professor level senior engineer,
Guangxi Communications Design Group Co., Ltd.
, Nanning, P.R. China
, E-mail: 154461842@qq.com
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Y. Shao;
Y. Shao
5 Senior engineer,
Guangxi Communications Design Group Co., Ltd.
, Nanning, P.R. China
, E-mail: GXUGEO@126.com
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Y. Ma;
Y. Ma
6 Senior engineer,
Zhejiang Communications Construction Group Co., Ltd.
, Hangzhou, P.R. China
, E-mail: 510791004@qq.com
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Z. Zhang
Z. Zhang
7 Professor level senior engineer,
Shanghai Urban Construction Design and Research Institute (Group) Co, Ltd.
, Shanghai, P.R. China
, E-mail: zhangzhongjie@sucdri.com
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Corresponding author X. Lü (xilinlu@tongji.edu.cn)
Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Received:
September 14 2024
Accepted:
December 01 2024
Online ISSN: 1751-7613
Print ISSN: 1072-6349
© 2025 Emerald Publishing Limited
2025
Emerald Publishing Limited
Licensed re-use rights only
Geosynthetics International (2025) 32 (5): 694–711.
Article history
Received:
September 14 2024
Accepted:
December 01 2024
Citation
Xie Z, Lü X, Zhang Y, Liu X, Shao Y, Ma Y, Zhang Z (2025), "Study on the mechanical properties and particle breakage of geogrid-reinforced tunnel spoil". Geosynthetics International, Vol. 32 No. 5 pp. 694–711, doi: https://doi.org/10.1680/jgein.24.00121
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