Long-Term Tensile Behavior of a High-Strength Geotextile after Exposure to Recycled Construction and Demolition Materials

The use of recycled construction and demolition (C&D) materials as an alternative backfill in the geosynthetic-reinforced structures, such embankments retaining walls, has been pointed out a sustainable effective means attenuating environmental impacts associated with C&D waste disposal to landfill, while also reducing natural resource depletion. Creep is important time-dependent mechanical property that must be considered when geosynthetics are used reinforcement applications. In this study, series creep rupture tests was carried characterize long-term tensile response high-strength geotextile typically for soil reinforcement. To assess potential chemical degradation induced by aggregates on geosynthetic, strain behavior fresh specimens compared were previously exposed (used reference) period 24 months, under real conditions. Test results have shown short-term strength properties can considerably reduced after exposure materials. Conversely, conditions, exhumed led higher estimates retained at design lifetime, implying testing conservative (i.e., safe) procedure regard analysis geosynthetic. Similar effects material soil, which supports feasibility using replacement conventional structures.