Influence of Soil Strength on Optimal Embedment Depth of Geosynthetic Reinforcement Layer in Granular-Reinforced Foundations

The effect of soil friction angle value on the optimal embedment depth of a single geosynthetic reinforcement layer in granular foundations was investigated with a numeric simulation approach. The numeric model was validated against the measured results of reduced-scale plane strain model foundations tested with two footing width sizes. The model foundations were constructed with gravel-sized round aggregates and were subjected to the concentrated vertical load of shallow footings analogous to a track–ballast system. After the validation of the numeric model, a series of parametric analyses was carried out with an idealized, full-scale foundation model to investigate the dependency of the optimal reinforcement embedment depth on the soil friction angle value. The optimal reinforcement depth in field-scale reinforced foundations under strip footings is between 10% and 15% of footing width, depending on the site soil friction angle value. The optimal reinforcement depth is found to be slightly closer to the footing in a weaker soil. The range of optimum reinforcement depth values obtained from this study is shallower than those suggested in some earlier studies using reduced-scale model foundations. Optimum reinforcement depth values obtained merely on the basis of the results of reduced-scale tests may be overestimated because of the unrealistically low overburden pressure compared with the field-scale foundations.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/1975-19
• 
• Summary URL:
  http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Influence+of+Soil+Strength+on+Optimal+Embedment+Depth+of+Geosynthetic+Reinforcement+Layer+in+Granular-Reinforced+Foundations&author=K.+Hatami&author=G.+Raymond&publication_year=2006
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.trb.org/Main/Public/Blurbs/158753.aspx
• Authors:
  • Hatami, Kianoosh
  • Raymond, Gerald P
• Publication Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 155-162
• Monograph Title: Soil Mechanics 2006
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 1975
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Footings; Geosynthetics; Granular soils; Material reinforcement; Mathematical models; Scale models
• Uncontrolled Terms: Embedment depth; Friction angle; Granular foundations; Soil strength
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01020294
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309099846
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 3 2006 10:49AM