Instrumentation and Calibration of Geotextiles Used in Centrifuge Modeling of Slopes

Research on the application of geotextile strips used as reinforcement in marginally stable soft soil slopes was performed with a geotechnical centrifuge. A variety of instrumentation was used in the model studies. When centrifuge models are used, the elements being modeled must be scaled down by the level of centrifuge acceleration—that is, the g level used in the modeling process. This results in the use of very small geotextile reinforcing strips, which are difficult to instrument. In this study, small strips of nonwoven geotextile were driven into the model slope while the centrifuge was in flight. These strips were instrumented with miniature foil-type strain gauges. The following items are discussed in detail: various stages of installation of the strain gauges on nonwoven geotextiles, selection of suitable bonding techniques, use of thin coatings for gauge protection, and selection of suitable bridge excitation voltages for the gauges. The devices used in the calibration process, and the calibration results, are presented.