Strain Distribution Within Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Slopes

土工合成材料加筋土是一种非常有吸引力的选择，公路路堤和挡土墙项目，因为它提供了与传统的挡土结构相关的经济效益。 加筋土边坡的设计通常使用基于软件的技术（极限平衡）进行，这需要对加筋元件内的应变分布进行重要假设。 然而，到目前为止，假设的应变分布还没有完全验证监测结果。 结果之一是设计中的过度保守。本研究的总体目标是通过离心建模、数字图像分析和有限元分析生成和整合数据，为加筋土边坡设计中采用的应变分布提供明确的答案。 具体而言，该项目将综合以下五个阶段的成果：（i）进行离心模型调查，以生成工作应力条件下土工合成材料加筋土边坡性能的实验数据;（ii）进行数字图像处理和分析，以收集和评估来自飞行拍摄的离心模型录像图像的应变信息;（三）数字（有限元）研究进行编译参数评价加筋土边坡行为后，校准数值程序对数据收集在以前的实验阶段;（iv）评价工作，将钢筋应变分布的结果纳入当前的加筋土准则;和（v）一个教育部分，将离心土工模型的数字视频剪辑整合到多媒体演示中，用于本科生和研究生的土工教学，以及招募代表性不足的少数民族高中学生参加工程课程。除了通过以下方式完善土工合成材料加筋土边坡的设计指南的具体目标外，为了更好地理解应变分布的模式，拟议的研究是PI积极发展的更大的、正在进行的议程的基石，该议程由PI进行加固土研究，并在PI的机构进行岩土建模。 事实上，拟议的调查将启动实施创新的程序invilving数字图像分析在岩土离心试验在科罗拉多大学，将有助于正在进行的努力之间的交叉验证岩土系统的物理和数值模拟，并将促进研究融入工程教育。

Soil reinforcement using geosynthetics is a very attractive alternative for highway embankment and retaining wall projects because of the economic benefits it offers in relation to cenventional retaining structures. Desigh of reinforced soil slopes is typically performed using software-based techniques (limit equilibrium), which require significant assumptions regarding the distribution of strains within the reinforcement elements. However, to date, the assumed strain distributions have not been fully validated against monitored results. One consequence of this is a perceived overconservatism in design.The overall objective of this research initiative is to generate and integrate (via centrifuge modeling, digital image analysis, and finite element analysis) data that will provide a definite answer regarding the strain distribution to be adopted in reinforced soil slope design. Specificaly, this project will integrate results from the following five phases: (i) a centrifuge modeling investigation undertaken to generate experimental data on the performance fo geosynthetic reinforced soil slopes under working stress conditions; (ii) a digital image processing and analysis effort performed to collect and evaluate strain information from inflight-captured images of videotaped centrifuge models; (iii) a numerical (finite element) study performed to compile parametric evaluations of reinforced soil slope behavior, after having calibrated numerical procedures against data collected in the previous experimental phase; (iv) an evaluation effort to incorporate findings on reinforcement strain distribution into current reinforced soil guidelines; and (v) an educational component to integrate digital video clips of centrifuge geotechnical models into multimedia presentations to be used for undergraduate and graduate geotechnical instructions as well as for recruitment of underrepresented minority high school students into engineering programs.In addition to the specific goal of refining design guidelines for geosynthetic reinforced soil slopes by gaining better understanding of the pattern of strain distributions, the proposed research is the cornerstone of larger, ongoing agendas under active development on reinforced soil research by the PI and on geotechnical modeling at the PI's institution. In fact, the proposed investigation will initiate implementation of innovative procedures invilving digital image analysis in geotechnical centrifuge testing at the University of Colorado, will contribute to ongoing efforts of cross-validation between physical and numerical modeling of geotechnical systems, and will foster integration of research into engineering education.