Dynamic shear behaviors of textured geomembrane/nonwoven geotextile interface under cyclic loading

Textured geomembrane (GMB) and nonwoven geotextile (GTX) are usually used together in liner systems of MSW landfills, but the low shear strength of GMB/GTX interface is extremely detrimental to the stability of landfills, especially under earthquake loading. To study the dynamic shear strength of the GMB/GTX interface, a series of displacement-controlled cyclic direct shear tests are conducted with a large-scale direct shear machine. Normal stress levels ranging from 100 to 1000 kPa and displacement amplitudes ranging from 5 to 25 mm are considered. To compare the failure mechanism, GMB and GTX specimens are tested in not only hydrated but also dry conditions. Different waveforms and excitation frequencies are also applied to analyze the effects of test conditions. It can be seen that the shear deformation develops totally along the GMB/GTX interface when specimens are fully hydrated, while the internal failure of GTX is induced in dry condition. Equivalent linear analyses reveal that the shear stiffness depends on normal stress and displacement amplitude, while the damping ratio is only affected by displacement amplitude. Variations of shear strength during the shear process indicate that the softening behavior of the GMB/GTX interface is closely related to cumulative displacement and normal stress level. Furthermore, based on test results, a positive correlation is summarized between the shear strength and displacement rate of the interface.