INVESTIGATIONS ON SOFT CLAY SUBGRADE STRENGTHENING USING GEOCELLS

This paper presents some results of a study of the factors affecting the performance of a geocell structure resting on a soft clay subgrade. Relevant factors include geocell geometry, the strength of the geocell wall, and the relative density of the backfill. Experiments and the finite element method were used to investigate the behaviour of the geocell structure and of the resulting stress distribution. An experimental model, designed to carry full loading, was made, to study the influence of cell geometry and relative density of the backfill on the geocell structure. The geocell had varying dimensions, and was backfilled with loose or dense sand. In the theoretical investigations, use was made of ANSYS, a general-purpose finite element software package. Load-settlement curves were drawn for all the static load tests, to study the effect of reinforcing the sand with a geocell. To identify the failure clearly, they were drawn in dimensionless form. It was found that it was advantageous to compact the backfill to a dense state, and that the modulus of the geotextile, used to form the geocell, was important. Various other results were obtained, but field studies will be needed to establish the design modulus of reinforced sand.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/09500618
• Corporate Authors:

  Elsevier

  The Boulevard, Langford Lane
  Kidlington, Oxford  United Kingdom  OX5 1GB
• Authors:
  • MHAISKAR, S H
  • MANDEL, J N
• Publication Date: 1996

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 281-6
• Serial:
  • Construction and Building Materials
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0950-0618
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09500618?sdc=1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Clay; Computer programs; Density; Embankments; Failure; Field tests; Finite element method; Geotextiles; Ground settlement; Loads; Material reinforcement; Mathematical analysis; Modulus of elasticity; Reinforcing materials; Sand; Strength of materials; Subgrade (Pavements)
• ITRD Terms: 6471: Analysis (math); 4177: Clay; 5908: Density; 2801: Embankment; 5520: Failure; 6490: Finite element method; 4568: Geotextile; 6226: In situ; 5567: Load; 5919: Modulus of elasticity; 3471: Reinforcement (in mater); 4105: Sand; 5792: Settlement; 8645: Software; 5544: Strength (mater); 2950: Subgrade
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00729170
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Dec 12 1996 12:00AM