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Pullout Behaviour of Snakeskin-Inspired Sustainable Geosynthetic Reinforcements in Sand: An Experimental Study

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  • Xin Huang

    (Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Geomachanics and Embankment Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China)

  • Fengyuan Yan

    (State Grid Yancheng Power Supply Company, Yancheng 224002, China)

  • Jia He

    (Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Geomachanics and Embankment Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China)

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the frictional anisotropy of snake scale-inspired surfaces, especially its potential applications in enhancing the bearing capacity of foundations (piles, anchor elements, and suction caissons) and reducing materials consumption and installation energy. This study first investigated the frictional properties and surface morphologies of the ventral scales of Cantor’s rat snakes ( Ptyas dhumnades ). Based on the findings on the snake scales, a novel snakeskin-inspired geosynthetic reinforcement (SIGR) is developed using 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA). A series of pullout tests under different normal loads (25 kPa, 50 kPa, and 75 kPa) were performed to analyze the pullout behavior of SIGR in sandy soil. Soil deformation and shear band thickness were measured using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The results revealed that the ventral scales of Ptyas dhumnades have distinct thorn-like micro-protrusions pointing towards the tail, which exhibit frictional anisotropy. A SIGR with a unilateral (one-sided) layout scales (each scale 1 mm in height and 12 mm in length) could increase the peak pullout force relative to a smooth-surface reinforcement by 29% to 67%. Moreover, the peak pullout force in the cranial direction (soil moving against the scales) was found to be 13% to 20% greater than that in the caudal direction (soil moving along the scales). The pullout resistance, cohesion, and friction angle of SIGR all showed significant anisotropy. The soil deformation around the SIGR during pullout was more pronounced than that observed with smooth-surface reinforcement, which suggests that SIGR can mobilize a larger volume of soil to resist external loads. This study demonstrates that SIGR is able to enhance the pullout resistance of reinforcements, thereby improving the stability of reinforced soil structures, reducing materials and energy consumption, and is important for the sustainability of geotechnical engineering.

Suggested Citation

  • Xin Huang & Fengyuan Yan & Jia He, 2025. "Pullout Behaviour of Snakeskin-Inspired Sustainable Geosynthetic Reinforcements in Sand: An Experimental Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-23, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:14:p:6502-:d:1702650
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zheng Zuo & Xiuqiang Hao & Huiqiang Li & Wei Wang & Guangqing Yang & Ying Liu, 2023. "Experimental Investigations on the Tensile Mechanical Behavior of HDPE Geocell Strip," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Karmen Stopar & Damjana Drobne & Klemen Eler & Tomaz Bartol, 2016. "Citation analysis and mapping of nanoscience and nanotechnology: identifying the scope and interdisciplinarity of research," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 106(2), pages 563-581, February.
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