Behavior of strip footing on multi-layered geogrid reinforced sand bed

Abstract

Soil Reinforcement is an effective and reliable technique for improving the strength and stability of soil. The reinforced soil or mechanically stabilized earth is a compacted soil fill, strengthened by the inclusion of tensile elements like geogrids, geotextiles, metal bars and strips. It is now well established in heavy construction industry for the construction of structures like retaining walls, embankments over soft soil, steep slopes etc. Several papers relating to the evaluation of the ultimate and allowable bearing capacities of shallow foundation supported by geogrid reinforced sand and saturated clay have been published. This thesis pertains to the study of the behavior of centrally loaded strip foundation on multi layered geogrid reinforced sand bed. Laboratory model test results for the ultimate bearing capacity of a strip foundation supported on multi-layered geogrid reinforced sand and subjected to central loading are presented. Only one type of geogrid Tensar BX1100 and one variety of sand at one relative density were used. The ultimate bearing capacities obtained from model tests have been compared with the theory given by Huang and Menq (1997)