An application of geosynthetic cementitious composite mat for slope stabilization

Abstract

In recent years, soil erosion and slope instability caused by seepage and rainfall are major problems, especially in the mountain area. Many research studies have focused on finding a new technology or material to stabilize the soil slope. In this study, a novel material called geosynthetic cementitious composite mat (GCCM) is selected to study its performance on soil slope stabilization. A series of 1-g physical model tests and numerical simulation (Plaxis 2D) on sandy soil slopes stabilized with and without GCCM are performed under seepage condition. In addition, centrifuge modeling of soil slopes is performed under 25-g in seepage and rainfall conditions. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique is employed to measure the displacement of soil in 1-g physical model tests, whereas accelerometer is used to measure the displacement of soil in 25-g centrifuge model tests. In 25-g centrifuge model test, the GCCM material is modeled using an equivalent strength and stiffness medical gypsum plaster sheet. In-house developed water tank and rainfall simulator are calibrated to simulate the seepage and rainfall. The results show that the GCCM can reduce the displacement of the slope by its high stiffness and interface friction. Additionally, the GCCM can delay the increase of water pressure raising that leads to diminishing the hydraulic force acting on the soil slope. The result indicates that the GCCM shows a good performance in slope stabilization.