Elevated Temperature Effects on Geotextile–Geomembrane Interface Shear Behavior

The performance of geosynthetic layered systems during their service life in terms of interface shear behavior and strength properties is of major importance in certain geotechnical applications. The interfaces between geotextiles and geomembranes in landfill applications are subject to temperature changes. In this respect, interface shear behavior requires assessment of the engineering strength properties of the components, both independently and collectively, at different temperatures. To this end, an extensive research study was undertaken to investigate temperature effects on the interface shear behavior between needle-punched nonwoven (NPNW) polypropylene (PP) geotextiles and both smooth polyvinylchloride (PVC), as well as smooth and textured high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes. A temperature-controlled chamber (TCC) was utilized to simulate the field conditions at elevated temperatures and evaluate shear displacement and frictional response mobilized at different temperatures. The physical laboratory testing program consisted of interface shear tests between material combinations found in landfill applications under a range of normal stress levels from 10 to 400 kPa and at a range of ambient temperatures from 21°C to 50°C. An increase in temperature from the standard laboratory test temperature of 21°C to an equivalent in situ temperature of 50°C increases the peak and postpeak interface friction values by a minimum of 14%. For selected combinations of materials, the amount of increase can be in excess of 20% and as high as 22%. Consequently, interface shear behavior determined at room temperature yields interface friction values that are conservative at higher temperatures.