Abstract: In order to further study the drawing test mechanism of the ribbed geomembrane, the mesoscopic properties of interface between ribbed geomembrane and sandy soil under different working conditions (ribbed height and temperature), the displacement and velocity field distribution of particles within the liner system were studied using laboratory drawing test and particle image velocimetry(PIV) analysis. The results show that different ribbed heights and temperatures have significant influence on the stability of the interface, and the ultimate drawing resistance increases with the increase of ribbed height and the decrease of temperature. The mesoscopic analysis shows the sandy soil near the interface of ribbed geomembrane and sandy soil can form indirect impact area. The sandy soil displacement and velocity within the indirect impact area are larger than that of surrounding sand particle, this can be explained by that the rib squeezes the left side of the rib or moves it as a whole during the drawing process. Moreover, the indirect impact area between the ribs interacts with each other, and thus causes strengthen effect on sand particles. Experimental results and PIV analysis indicate that temperature and ribbed height have significant effects on the indirect influence zone, so that the two factors have significant influence on the interface stability of ribbed geomembrane and sandy soil.

Key words: ribbed geomembrane, drawing model test, partical image velocimetry(PIV), displacement, velocity