Analysis of sand – woven geotextile interface shear behavior using discrete element method (DEM)

The interaction between soil and geotextile is essential for the performance of reinforced soil. This study reveals the microscopic mechanism of interface shear between sand and geotextile based on the discrete element method (DEM). The surface characteristics of geotextile are simulated by overlapped particles. The micromechanical parameters of sand, geotextile, and interface are calibrated effectively using laboratory test results. Three types of shear tests on the sand–geotextile interface are simulated; namely, interface direct shear test (IDST), double-sided interface shear test (D_IST), and interface direct shear test with periodic boundary (PBST). For IDST, the results show that the thickness of shear band is 2.4~3.0 times the average particle diameter (D₅₀); the contact force, percentage of sliding contact, and contact normal anisotropy inside the shear band are larger than those outside the shear band, whereas the coordination number is smaller inside the shear band. The mechanical response of D_IST is similar to that of IDST. However, D_IST has a shear band thickness of 3.0D₅₀, and greater coordination number, percentage of sliding contact, and contact normal anisotropy. The results of PBST indicate that the peak stress and the shear band no longer appear without boundary constraint and the contact distribution is uniform.