A Discrete Element Method Investigation of the Mechanical Response at The HDPE Geomembrane-Sand Interface

Mohammad Bairoti; Hasan Fırat Pulat; Muath S. Talafha

doi:10.24107/ijeas.1671795

A Discrete Element Method Investigation of the Mechanical Response at The HDPE Geomembrane-Sand Interface

Abstract

Geosynthetics made from synthetic polymers are widely used in geotechnical engineering for soil reinforcement, separation, erosion prevention, and drainage. These materials have applications in landfills, foundations, retaining walls, and dams. The interaction between geosynthetics and the surfaces they meet needs to be investigated to ensure that geosynthetics are efficient in their function. The present study examined the interface shear behaviour between granular soil and a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane. A cylindrical direct shear test based on the discrete element method (DEM) was conducted on HDPE geomembranes with thicknesses of 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm. Preliminary experiments were performed solely on granular soil, after which a concrete block was placed in the lower jaw of the shear box with the geomembrane positioned on top, while the soil in the upper jaw formed the soil–geomembrane interface. Various normal stresses and shear rates were applied to analyse geomembrane behaviour. According to the DEM results, the interface friction angle for the 1.5 mm HDPE–soil configuration was reduced by approximately 51–59% compared to granular soil. For the 3.0 mm HDPE–soil interface, the reduction ranged from 42% to 48%, depending on the shear rate. These reductions, representing decreases in internal friction angle from roughly one-third to two-thirds, were found to be consistent with ASTM standards.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Granular Mechanics, Civil Geotechnical Engineering, Numerical Modelization in Civil Engineering

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mohammad Bairoti
0000-0002-8974-8992
Türkiye

Hasan Fırat Pulat ^*
0000-0002-8298-7106
Türkiye

Muath S. Talafha
0000-0001-9543-3092
Hungary

Early Pub Date

November 30, 2025

Publication Date

November 30, 2025

Submission Date

April 8, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 9, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 17 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.24107/ijeas.1671795

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA73DF98RY

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Bairoti, M., Pulat, H. F., & Talafha, M. S. (2025). A Discrete Element Method Investigation of the Mechanical Response at The HDPE Geomembrane-Sand Interface. International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 17(3), 158-170. https://doi.org/10.24107/ijeas.1671795

AMA

1.Bairoti M, Pulat HF, Talafha MS. A Discrete Element Method Investigation of the Mechanical Response at The HDPE Geomembrane-Sand Interface. IJEAS. 2025;17(3):158-170. doi:10.24107/ijeas.1671795

Chicago

Bairoti, Mohammad, Hasan Fırat Pulat, and Muath S. Talafha. 2025. “A Discrete Element Method Investigation of the Mechanical Response at The HDPE Geomembrane-Sand Interface”. International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 17 (3): 158-70. https://doi.org/10.24107/ijeas.1671795.

EndNote

Bairoti M, Pulat HF, Talafha MS (November 1, 2025) A Discrete Element Method Investigation of the Mechanical Response at The HDPE Geomembrane-Sand Interface. International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 17 3 158–170.

IEEE

[1]M. Bairoti, H. F. Pulat, and M. S. Talafha, “A Discrete Element Method Investigation of the Mechanical Response at The HDPE Geomembrane-Sand Interface”, IJEAS, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 158–170, Nov. 2025, doi: 10.24107/ijeas.1671795.

ISNAD

Bairoti, Mohammad - Pulat, Hasan Fırat - Talafha, Muath S. “A Discrete Element Method Investigation of the Mechanical Response at The HDPE Geomembrane-Sand Interface”. International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 17/3 (November 1, 2025): 158-170. https://doi.org/10.24107/ijeas.1671795.

JAMA

1.Bairoti M, Pulat HF, Talafha MS. A Discrete Element Method Investigation of the Mechanical Response at The HDPE Geomembrane-Sand Interface. IJEAS. 2025;17:158–170.

MLA

Bairoti, Mohammad, et al. “A Discrete Element Method Investigation of the Mechanical Response at The HDPE Geomembrane-Sand Interface”. International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, vol. 17, no. 3, Nov. 2025, pp. 158-70, doi:10.24107/ijeas.1671795.

Vancouver

1.Mohammad Bairoti, Hasan Fırat Pulat, Muath S. Talafha. A Discrete Element Method Investigation of the Mechanical Response at The HDPE Geomembrane-Sand Interface. IJEAS. 2025 Nov. 1;17(3):158-70. doi:10.24107/ijeas.1671795