Study on soil–cement grout interface shear strength of soil nailing by direct shear box testing method

An important design parameter in cement-grouted soil nailed structures is the shear strength at the interface between the grouted nail and the surrounding soil. Both field and laboratory pull-out tests are normally used to investigate this interface shear strength. However, these tests have some limitations. In this study, direct shear box tests are adopted to investigate the interface shear strength behaviour between a completely decomposed granite (CDG) soil and a cement grout plate. Tests were carried out in a large direct shear test apparatus over a range of constant normal stress, soil moisture content, and soil–cement grout interface surface waviness. The laboratory test procedures are briefly described and the main test results are presented, followed by a discussion of the shear behaviour of the soil–cement grout interface. The interface shear behaviour is compared with the shear strength behaviour of the same soil tested under comparable conditions. It is shown that the shear stress–displacement behaviour of the soil–cement grout interface is similar to that of the soil alone. The test results indicate that the interface shear strength of the CDG and cement grout material depends on the normal stress level, the soil moisture content, and the interface surface waviness.