Finite Element Analysis of Triaxial Tests of a New Composite Reinforced Soil

Red-sandstone reinforced with hexagonal wire mesh is a new concept of composite reinforced soil. In order to study the mechanical properties of this composite reinforced soil, a series of laboratory triaxial compression tests on specimens reinforced with hexagonal wire mesh were carried out. 3D finite element method was introduced to simulate the triaxial tests. The macro stress-strain relation of the red-sandstone specimens reinforced with hexagonal wire mesh inclusions was reproduced and verified by 3D finite element model. The results indicate: finite element method is a ideal technique to study the mechanical characteristics of composite reinforced materials. The peak strength of red-sandstone are increased by hexagonal wire mesh reinforcements, and the peak shear strength arrives at a larger shear displacement than the plain red-sandstone specimen.