The use of geosynthetic materials in geotechnical engineering practice has increased greatly during the past decade. Today, geosynthetic materials are used for filtration, drainage, separation, soil reinforcement, seepage control, and in many other applications. The primary objective of this research program is to evaluate the dynamic interface shear properties of different geosynthetic soil systems. The goals is to obtain needed information on the basic behavior and performance of geosynthetic-soil systems, motivated by applications in earthquake hazard mitigation, such as: base isolation from earthquake ground shaking, earth slopes reinforced with geotextiles and geogrids, and geomembrane lined canals, reservoirs, tunnels and hazardous waste containment landfills. Attention is also addressed to the need for research and development of a reliable testing procedure for dynamic interface properties.
