Abstract: Although geotextile reinforcement has been widely used in geotechnical engineering, the reinforcement mechanism is still unclear. Centrifuge model tests are conducted on the geotextile-reinforced and unreinforced cohesive soil slopes under surface loading respectively. The displacement histories of the slopes are measured using an image-analysis system. The reinforcement effect is studied; and the reinforcement mechanism is investigated. The results show that the ultimate bearing capacity of slope could be significant increased by geotextile-reinforcement. Under the action of reinforcement, the deformation field is changed; the influence zone of surface loading is extended; and the slide surface is backwards moved. The local effect and its effective zone increase and extend with the increasing of the deformation of slope.

Key words: geotextile, reinforcement, slope, surface loading, centrifuge model test