ABSTRACT
This paper discusses simple constitutive models to represent the tensile response of two geosynthetics (geotextile GTX and reinforcement geocomposite GCR) and the influence of two endurance durability agents on that response: mechanical and abrasion damage, acting independently and combined. The damage was induced in laboratory under standard conditions. The polynomial models approximated the short-term tensile experimental data very well and better than the hyperbolic-based models. The polynomial model parameters have no physical meaning. The equations from the literature did not always represent the parameters of hyperbolic-based models and their physical meaning. The secant stiffness for 5% strain obtained from the models was conservative for GTX and too optimistic for GCR. No clear relationship was found between the model parameters of the undamaged samples and the samples submitted to mechanical damage (MEC), abrasion damage (ABR) or mechanical and abrasion damage (MEC+ ABR). The model parameters were normalised to the reduction factors for damage and to the tensile strength of each sample. A unique trend between parameters was not found. For GTX the normalised parameter b/Tult, sample was reduced after damage and all damaged samples exhibited a similar value.
