Field Pull Out Test for ParaWeb
R00 Date: 28.01.2018
METHODOLOGY FOR CONDUCTING
FIELD PULL OUT TEST ON PARAWEB
FOR REINFORCED SOIL WALL
Methodology for Conducting Field Pull Out Test on Paraweb for Reinforced
Soil Wall
Basic Concept Of Reinforced Soil Wall.
Reinforced soil is a composite structure which works on principle of friction and adhesion
generated between the soil and reinforcing element. By means of friction, soil transfers
tensile force to the reinforcing element. Thus improving mechanical properties of soil.
The pull out resistance is a function of both frictional and passive resistance. Field Pull out
testing is carried out to ascertain/validate the values of coefficient of interaction factor for
friction and pull out capacity of Paraweb (Soil reinforcement).
A. Apparatus and Mayerial Required for Field Pull Out Test.
1. Precast concrete panels.
Precast concrete T-shape panels having same dimension as MacRes panel need to be cast
for this test. The dimensions of panels are 1.6m in height & 2.1m wide at top & 1.83m at
bottom, with provision of central hole of dia. 160mm located at the centre of panel.
2. Hydraulic jack with pressure gauge.
Hydraulic jack with hollow plunger is to be used for the loading/pulling of Paraweb. The
calibrated pressure gauge needs to be attached to measure the load/force.
Photo No 1: Hydraulic jack with pressure gauge.
3. Soil Reinforcement strips
ParaWeb reinforcement strips should be free from any damage/ cuts. Reinforcement with
different grades can be selected for the testing. Width and length of ParaWeb shall be
measured and recorded.
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4. Loop & toggle arrangement
To facilitate the pulling, Paraweb has to be connected by loop & toggle arrangement to
hydraulic jack as shown in photo. Loop & toggle arrangement consists of two steel loops of
12mm dia. & toggle bars of 30mm dia. This assembly is connected to jack with high tension
bolt/ ropes on one side & connected with Paraweb on other side.
B. Soil Tests for Pull Out Test
Backfill or reinforced soil test shall be tested for ascertaining its properties. These properties
are directly linked with the test results, hence same shall be derived before start of test.
Following are the test to be conducted on backfill soil
Proctor test for OMC & MDD
Direct shear tests for shear strength parameters.
C. Site Preparation
Precast panel should be cast and proper curing to be done for minimum 15 days. The hole
position should at the centre of panel as shown in the drawing. The diameter of hole should
be 160mm.
Photo No 2: Panel with 160mm diameter Hole.
The position of panel should be preplanned and it should be at such a location where
assembly of jack and stand can be done preferably the location should at 1m above
adjacent ground level.
Place the precast panels at the required location.
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Photo No 3: Erected Panel.
Backfilling shall be done in layers of 200mm compacted thickness. Compaction shall be
carried out as per the standard procedure laid down in construction manual. FDD test should
be done for each layer and compared with MDD report.
Stop the backfilling process once it reached up to centre of hole.
Place the foam in the hole so that soil should not come out from hole.
Lay the ParaWeb reinforcement in ‘V’ shape (as shown in drawing) & pass it on toggle bar in
such a way that other end of the loop & toggle shall be protruding till the centre of the hole.
Anchor the rear end of the ParaWeb reinforcement by J-hooks & anchor bar.
Photo No 4: ParaWeb Installed for test.
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Measure the length & width of the ParaWeb reinforcement strips which will be embedded in
soil.
Place and compact backfill over the ParaWeb reinforcement strips as per the standard
procedure laid down in construction manual.
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After 1 layer of backfill placement remove “J” hook and rear anchor installed for tightening
of ParaWeb. Continue the backfilling process after removal rear anchor.
Particular care should be taken around central hole that soil should not enter slip in the hole.
Hand compaction need to be done nearby the hole.
Continue with placement and compaction of the backfill 800mm above the reinforcement.
D. Methodology for Field Pull Out Test
Once the filling is done up to top of panel with proper compaction of soil & placing of
reinforcement, set up is ready for testing. ParaWeb shall be installed at minimum 3 locations
for pull out testing.
Following steps need to be followed for the pull out test.
After proper placement of fill & Paraweb. The foam which fixed inside the hole shall be
removed, exposing the end of loop & toggle bar.
Photo No 5: Erected Panel with Loop and Anchor Arrangement.
Stand for holding the jack on the panel should be fixed with anchor fastener arrangement as
showing in Photo.
The position of stand should be aligned properly so that centre of hole and jack coincide.
Connect the high tensile rod/ rope to loop and toggle assembly to exert pulling force.
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Photo No 6: Positioning of Jack and Stand on hole.
Place the jack on the stand secure the jack with stand to maintain its position on application
of load.
Pass the high tensile rod/rope through central hoe of jack. Jack and Pump with pressure
gauge should be connected to each other.
Assembly should be checked for it proper working. Measure the height of backfill on the
ParaWeb.
Photo No 7: Measurement of Backfill thickness above ParaWeb.
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Photo No 8: Jack and Pump Assembly
Fix the rear end of high tensile rod/rope with plunger/ moving ramp of jack.
Once the jack and loop & toggle are placed in position, an appropriate displacement
measuring gauge must be attached to monitor the displacement of the Paraweb.
The initial seating load (when pressure gauge records at least one division) shall be applied
to overcome slacks in the connections and assembly. This load on the pressure gauge must
be recorded before started of actual loading.
The specimen must be loaded at a constant rate of 200 Psi. Load and displacement should
be recorded at every 200 Psi intervals.
Photo No 9: Measurement of Displacement
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Pullout occurs when displacement continues to occur at constant or decreasing load. For
most of the tests and design displacement of 75 mm may be used to terminate the test.
The final load and displacement readings must then be recorded.
E. SUMMARY
The objective of pull out test is to determine the pull-out resistance of the soil ParaWeb
reinforcement. Failure in the above test may be due to pull out of reinforcement from soil or
rupture of reinforcement. Failure of ParaWeb reinforcement dependent upon a variety of
factors including the strength of reinforcement used, magnitude of overburden stresses
above the position of the reinforcement, method of pulling, soil type and others. So failure
cannot be predetermined. We always expect the field test results to yield very similar results
to output of software & calculations, for a given wall position, soil type and ParaWeb type
and strength.
F. CALCULATIONS
TEST DATA
Reinforcement grade –
Reinforcement length –
Reinforcement width --
Density of backfill soil -
Height of backfill soil above reinforcement. -
[Link] Pull out Force Displacement Interface
. Applied Pa Factor Ci
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EQUATIONS
Interface Factor Ci =
Where
= Max. pull out force recorded
= width of the reinforcement
= Embedded length of reinforcement
= Density of backfill soil
= Angle of friction for backfill soil
Conclusion -
The interface factor Ci calculated from test data should be greater than Ci taken in design
against same over burden.
R00 Date: 28.01.2018 Page 9 of 9