Effect of Degree of Saturation on soil-nail Pullout Resistance

Abstract

Soil nailing is a technique which is used to reinforce and strengthen the existing ground conditions. This is done by installing closely spaced, passive, structural inclusions known as nail into the soil and these nails helps to improve the overall shear strength of soil. The nail pullout resistance is the shear stress at the grout-soil interface. The soil-nail pullout resistance depends on many parameters. Among the factors influencing the soil-nail pullout resistance, degree of saturation of the soil is an important factor. As degree of saturation of soil mass change with the moisture content of the soil, the pullout resistance may decrease during the intense rainfall. However, verification of pullout tests on soil-nail are not conducted under the worst condition. Hence, measured pullout resistance may not be a safe parameter for design. As such, in this research study, the effect of degree of saturation on pullout resistance was studied by conducting a series of laboratory tests using a laboratory pullout box. Especially designed waterproof cap was used to apply back pressure to saturate the soil within the pullout box. Variation of earth pressures close to the grouted nail were observed during the tests. It was evident from the results that higher the degree of saturation, lower the pullout resistance. Maximum pullout resistance was observed when the degree of saturation is near the optimum moisture of the soil. When the soil is sufficiently dry, lower pullout resistance was observed due to low bond strength between grout surface and surrounding dry soil.