Experimental study on deformation behavior of geosynthetic liner system subjected to local settlement of foundation

The local settlement of foundation will cause tensile strain of geomembrane and non-woven geotextile in the geosynthetic liner system, and greater tensile strain will lead to tensile failure of the geosynthetic liner system or degradation of its performance. The deformation behaviors of the geosynthetic liner system after local settlement of foundation are investigated by use of strain gauges, earth pressure cells and displacement gauges. The experimental results show that the maximum axial tensile strain occurs in the center of subsidence area after the local settlement of foundation, and that the strain gradually decreases from the center to both sides. The overlying pressure on the geosynthetic liner system within subsidence area changes accordingly. Tensile stiffness has greater influence on the deformation. Finally, some useful conclusions are drawn:different locations have different tensile strains; the relative displacement occurs between interfaces; and the overlying pressures on the geosynthetic liner system are redistributed after the local settlement of foundation.