Work

Experimental and Numerical Evaluation of a Composite Frame–Geosynthetic System for Expansive Soil Slope Protection Under Cyclic Wetting–Drying

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Expansive soil slopes are highly susceptible to rainfall-induced shallow failures due to cyclic swelling–shrinkage behavior governed by matric suction variation. This study proposes a composite frame–geosynthetic system (CFGS), comprising a rigid frame integrated with high-performance turf reinforcement mats (HPTRMs), for expansive soil slope protection. The performance of the CFGS was evaluated through geometrically scaled, materially representative physical model tests under repeated wetting–drying cycles and further examined using coupled hydro-mechanical numerical simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics. A bare slope and an HPTRM-protected slope were used for comparison. Under identical laboratory conditions, CFGS reduced cumulative erosion to approximately 13% of that of the bare slope. It also moderated the internal hydraulic response, reducing pore-water pressure fluctuation by approximately 26%, and restrained swelling–shrinkage deformation, with an average deformation attenuation of up to 61%. The numerical simulations showed consistent response trends with the physical model tests, supporting the proposed mechanism of hydraulic regulation, deformation restraint, and stress redistribution. Overall, the results demonstrate the comparative effectiveness of CFGS in mitigating wetting–drying-induced deterioration of expansive soil slopes.

Source: Applied Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/app16115203

Authors: Jamlick Mwangi Kariuki, Yupeng Shen, Peng Jing, Lin Wang, Yunxi Han, Yuexin Huang

Institution: Beijing Jiaotong University

Language: English

Topic: Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Stabilization

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896