An original machine for dynamic pull-out tests: design, operation and testing

Nails have been widely used to stabilise slopes and embankments. The stability is ensured by the friction created along the interface between these inclusions and the ground surrounding, which is quantified by means of pull-out tests. In seismic designs, the stability is generally verified without accounting for the variation of the interface friction. The following paper presents a newly designed dynamic pull-out machine. The machine permits the creation of dynamic vibrations while remaining in tension at frequencies in the range of 0·1–5 Hz to investigate the interface behaviour between sand and nail inclusions during dynamic loading. The design and development of this machine is hereby presented, as well as a brief of the performance through results for an in-situ test. The test showed potential in studying the interface behaviour during dynamic loading and highlighting an influence of dynamic loading on the interface behaviour.