Study of Compressive Deformation Tests on Vegetation-recovery Earthbags

Abstract

Vegetation-recovery earthbags have good adaptability to deformation. Uniaxial cyclic compression test and large-scale triaxial compression test are designed for the bags used in the Three Gorges Reservoir, where the water level fluctuates periodically greatly. The results show the stress-strain curves have a strainhardening tendency, which means the vegetation-recovery earthbags have good resistance to vertical deformation. The deformation modulus of the earthbags in first compression is much less than the compression modulus of the fillings. But after cyclic compression, the deformation modulus of the earthbags approaches to the compression modulus of the fillings, and so does the deformation modulus of the earthbags under confining pressure. So it is advised that the compressive modulus of the fillings can be used for calculating the surface settlement of the structures made of vegetation-recovery earthbags under great hydraulic pressure in the later period; and it would be better to construct in stages, temporary safe measures should be taken; and after the greatest hydraulic pressure in one period, proper methods should be taken for anchoring the surface and the basement of the earthbags structure.