Small-scale laboratory tests may not yield reliable values for soil–geotextile interface properties due to the effect of scaling. Field tests offer a better alternative to overcome this problem. In situ pullout tests were performed on a full-scale embankment built over a woven polyester geotextile sheet. The field tests were conducted using different fill heights of compacted clayey soil. The performance of the geotextile was examined when the base soil underneath the geotextile was stiff clay of high plasticity or compacted clean river sand