Abstract:
This paper presents experimentally and numerically the bearing capacity and settlementcharacteristics of shallow footings rested on geogrid reinforced crushed limestone over weakclay soil. The effects of thickness of the crushed limestone, the depth and types of geogrid onbearing capacity and settlement characteristics of reinforced soil foundation (RSF) areinvestigated in laboratory, whereas numerical simulations are used to study the reinforcementfoundationinteraction. Test results indicate that the footing performance could be appreciablyimproved by the inclusion of layer of geogrid leading to an economic design of the footing.However, the efficiency of RSF system is dependent on reinforcement parameters. A closeagreement between the experimental and numerical trend lines is observed. Based on thenumerical and experimental results, critical values of geogrid parameters for maximumreinforcing effect are established.
