SYNOPSIS

Geosynthetics, polymeric materials widely used in civil and environmental engineering, have revolutionised the design of infrastructure systems by offering economic and technical advantages over traditional solutions. Their use in applications such as soil reinforcement, erosion control, and landfill lining has grown significantly over recent decades, driven by increasing interest from the international scientific community.

A critical factor in the performance of geosynthetics is their interaction with soils, particularly when these materials are used as reinforcements or placed on slopes. This webinar explores the behaviour of soil-geosynthetic interfaces, with a special focus on granite residual soils, under both monotonic and cyclic loading conditions.

Through an extensive laboratory testing programme—including direct shear, inclined plane, and pullout tests—this session will provide an in-depth overview of the factors influencing interface performance. Key parameters such as soil moisture, density, confining pressure, soil and geosynthetic type, loading frequency and amplitude, and number of load cycles will be examined.

Highlights of the session include:
•    Description of the experimental programme, test setups, and materials used.
•    Analysis of monotonic and cyclic interface behaviour in direct shear and pullout tests.
•    Comparative analysis of results from direct shear and inclined plane tests.
•    Evaluation of shear strength parameters and interaction coefficients.
•    Key findings and recommendations.

This webinar will offer valuable insights into the mechanisms that govern soil-geosynthetic interaction, thereby contributing to a more informed and effective use of these materials in reinforced soil structures.


BIODATA OF SPEAKER

Dr. FERNANDA FERREIRA

Fernanda Ferreira is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Aveiro, Portugal. She holds both an MSc (2010) and a PhD (2016) in Civil Engineering from the University of Porto. Following her doctoral studies, she worked as a Research Associate at the Centre for Geomechanics and Railway Engineering at the University of Wollongong, Australia. Her main areas of interest and expertise include: (1) the reinforcement and stabilisation of earthen structures using geosynthetics; (2) the application of geosynthetics in transport infrastructure; and (3) the use of recycled construction and demolition materials in Civil Engineering works.

Dr. Ferreira is the author or co-author of more than 60 scientific publications. She serves on the Editorial Boards of the renowned IGS journals Geotextiles and Geomembranes and Geosynthetics International, as well as Sustainability and Frontiers in Built Environment. Her contributions to geotechnical engineering/geosynthetics have earned her several recognitions. In 2014, she was selected by the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) as one of ten participants in the inaugural "IGS Young Members Session" at the 10th International Conference on Geosynthetics (Berlin, Germany). In 2016, she received an Honourable Mention from the Portuguese Geotechnical Society at the 15th Portuguese Geotechnical Congress (Porto, Portugal), and the "IGS Students Award" at the 6th Asian Regional Conference on Geosynthetics (New Delhi, India). In 2021, she was honoured with the "Bright Spark Lecture Award" by the ISSMGE at the International Young Professionals Workshop on Rail-Road Infrastructure (Sydney, Australia). Most recently, in 2023, she received the prestigious "Young IGS Award" at the 12th International Conference on Geosynthetics (Rome, Italy).

Dr. Ferreira currently serves as Secretary of the Portuguese IGS Chapter, leads the IGS Young Members Plus(+) Subcommittee, and is Vice-Chair of the IGS Technical Committee on Soil Reinforcement.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1001-2297