Improvement of soil using geogrids to resist eccentric loads

Abstract EN

This paper presents the results of experimental investigations to predict the bearing capacity of square footing on geogrid-reinforced loose sand by performing model tests.

The effects of several parameters were studied in order to study the general behavior of improving the soil by using the geogrid.

These parameters include the eccentricity value, depth of first layer of reinforcement, and vertical spacing of reinforcement layers.

The results of the experimental work indicated that there was an optimum reinforcement embedment depth at which the bearing capacity was the highest when single-layer reinforcement was used.

The increase of (z / B) (vertical spacing of reinforcement layer/width of footing) above 1.5 has no effect on the relative improvement for the soil and the relative improvement (%) of the reinforced soil can be predicated by using a simple equation.