DEM modeling of pullout behavior of geogrid reinforced ballast: The effect of particle shape

The performance of a geogrid reinforced system depends heavily on the properties of interface between the interacting components (i.e., backfill soil and geogrid inclusion). The comprehensive understanding of soil-geogrid interaction requires proper consideration of the true aperture geometry and the discontinuous nature of backfill soil. Based on the calibrated parameters, this paper presents a simulation procedure using PFC3D to reproduce the realistic pull-out behaviors of a triaxial geogrid embedded in various ballast aggregates with diverse particle shapes. The load transfer behaviors across the interacting components have been visualized in terms of the evolution of bond forces along the geogrid and the evolution of contact forces across the particle assembly. Meanwhile, the inherent microscopic changes accounting for the regression of macroscopic strength and the correlation between macro pull-out force and micro anisotropy parameters have been addressed. In addition, the differences in macro performance and the particle responses produced by different shapes of particles are also systematically discussed to justify the significant role of particle geometry. The findings obtained in this study are expected to provide better understanding of soil-geogrid interaction and the improved interlocking caused by irregular ballast geometry.