Laboratory investigation of the durability of a new smart geosynthetic material

The durability of geosynthetics is important for their service life, transportation and long-term storage. This paper presents the effects of three accelerating degradation tests (thermal oxidation, UV radiation and corrosion) on the mechanical properties and tensoresistivity of a new smart geosynthetic material called sensor-enabled geobelt (SEGB), which is made by high-density polyethylene (HDPE) filled with carbon black (CB). Three characteristics obtained by two tensile tests with different loading speeds are considered to evaluate the durability of the SEGB: tensile strength, elongation at break and electrical resistance. The results show that the tensile strength and elongation at break decrease to different degrees. It indicates that the mechanical properties of the SEGB deteriorate after the three degradation tests. And the electrical resistance displays a sharp increase trend after the strain exceeds a certain number. That means the sensitivity of tensoresistivity improves. Furthermore, the degradation mechanism of the SEGB in the three degradation tests is demonstrated. And it indicates that the chain reactions trigger the change of these mechanical properties and the tensoresistivity of the SEGB.