TECHNICAL NOTE

Evaluation of coefficient of direct sliding (Cds) for Miragrid GX Geogrids by

direct shear test

This Technical Note is a summary of direct shear test carried out on Miragrid GX geogrids to determine the sliding resistance between
soil and geogrids at Bathurst, Clarabut Geotechnical Testing (BCGT) Inc. in Kingston, Ontario.

Introduction
100
Miragrid GX Geogrid are a bi-directional geogrid 90
composed of 100% polyester multifilament <2mmSand
80
yarns. The yarns are coated with a polymeric
compound to form a structured and stable 70 <65mmCrushedStone
grid. 60
% P assing

A direct shear test was used to simulate the 50

sliding of a portion of soil mass across a layer of 40
geogrid reinforcement.
30
The objective of the direct shear test was to 20
determine the sliding resistance between the
soil and geogrid, and thus the coefficient of 10
direct sliding, Cds. To evaluate Cds for a 0
particular geogrid, the results from a series of 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100
tests on geogrid reinforced soil were compared
with results for a series of tests carried out on Particle Size (mm)
unreinforced soil.
Figure 1: Particle size distribution curve of the investigated soil

Test Program
Investigated soils (refer to Figure 1): box is instrumented to record displacement of
A series of direct shear box tests were - < 2mm sand the lower box while the vertical and horizontal
conducted using large direct shear box appa- - < 65mm crushed stone loads are recorded using load cells.
ratus comprised of top and bottom steel box
sections measuring 1m x 1m in plan area and The configuration of the test with the
0.5m in height. The test program was carried respective soil types and geogrids is shown in
out in accordance with ASTM D 5321-92. Table 1. Soil Type
The following geogrids and soils were For all tests, a geogrid specimen measuring < 2mm Sand <65 mm Crushed
investigated: 1830mm long and 1000mm wide (25 longitu- Stone
100 203-tn-02l07 (PF_Asia)

Geogrids: dinal strands) was laid on the soil/shear

interface. The tests were conducted over a Miragrid GX 40/40 Miragrid GX 60/30
- Miragrid GX 40/40
- Miragrid GX 60/30 range of vertical stress, 20kPa to 120kPa. The Miragrid GX 80/30 Miragrid GX 100/30
- Miragrid GX 80/30 bottom box is seated on a set of rollers
advanced at a rate of 5mm/minute and the top Miragrid GX 130/30
- Miragrid GX 100/30
- Miragrid GX 130/30 box is restrained laterally during each test. The Table 1: Test Configuration

* Miragrid GX geogrids are a re-branding of Polyfelt GX Geogrids.

The information given in this brochures is to the best of our knowledge true and correct. However new research results and practical experience can make revisions necessary.
No guarantee or liability can be drawn from the information mentioned herein. Furthermore, it is not our intention to violate any patents or licenses.

TenCate Geosynthetics Asia Sdn. Bhd. (264232-U)

14, Jalan Sementa 27/91, Seksyen 27
40400 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Tel +60 3 5192 8568, Fax +60 3 5192 8575
info.asia@tencate.com, www.tencate.com
 TECHNICAL NOTE
Test Result and Evaluation

Shear Stress, t (k N/m ^2)

A typical failure envelope from a direct shear
t = c + s tan f
test is shown in Figure 2. The failure envelope
is represented by the straight line corresponds
to the Coulombs equation:
f'
= c + s tan f
Where
t = shear stress
Normal Stress, s' (kN/m ^2)
s = normal stress
f = interaction friction angle Figure 2: Shear stress vs normal stress from Coulombs law

c = cohesion of soil
Soil Type Miragrid GX Geogrids tan f soil tan f soil/geogrid Cds Cds (design)
In order to assess the interaction factor, the GX 40/40 0.55 0.55 1.00
ratio of: < 2mm Sand
GX 80/30 0.51 0.53 1.04 1.00
tan f soil/geogrid
C ds = GX 130/30 0.51 0.49 0.96
tan f soil
< 65 mm Crushed GX 60/30 0.93 0.84 0.90
has been calculated for each test. The results Stone 0.86
of Cds together with the recommended mean GX 100/30 0.93 0.75 0.81
values for design are given in Table 2. Table 2: Summary of coefficient of direct sliding from direct shear test

Conclusion

1. It is important to have a high value of Cds since the greater the Cds the higher the sliding resistance of the geogrid reinforcement overthe soil.
The sliding resistance is required in resisting the sliding of the reinforced soil generated by the earth pressure .

2. Based on the tests reported above, for design purposes, Cds = 1.00 for < 2mm sand and Cds = 0.86 for < 65mm crushed stone are
recommended for all grades of Miragrid GX Geogrids.

References

1. ASTM D 5321-92 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Coefficient of Soil and Geosynthetic Friction by Direct Shear Method.

* Miragrid GX geogrids are a re-branding of Polyfelt GX Geogrids.

The information given in this brochures is to the best of our knowledge true and correct. However new research results and practical experience can make revisions necessary.
No guarantee or liability can be drawn from the information mentioned herein. Furthermore, it is not our intention to violate any patents or licenses.

TenCate Geosynthetics Asia Sdn. Bhd. (264232-U)

14, Jalan Sementa 27/91, Seksyen 27
40400 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Tel +60 3 5192 8568, Fax +60 3 5192 8575
info.asia@tencate.com, www.tencate.com