Strengthening Embankments: Studying Geogrid Effects on embankment over lying Soft Soil

What is it about?

This study explored how adding geogrids, can strengthen embankments built over soft soil. Experiments and computer simulations were conducted to see how different factors affect the stability of these embankments. Key Points: 1. Geogrids and its Placement: -Geogrids are like strong nets placed within the soil to make it more stable. -The position, depth, length, and number of these geogrids were tested to see its influence on the embankment's strength. 2. Bearing Capacity: -Bearing capacity refers to how much load or pressure the embankment can handle before failing. -With the right placement of multiple geogrid layers, the embankment's ability to bear weight increased by up to 75%. 3. Basal reinforcement vs. Multiple Layers: -Using a single basal reinforcement of geogrid at the interface between the embankment and base soil can improve the strength by about 34.5%. -Multiple layers of geogrids placed at shallower depths were often more effective when the failure zone does not penetrate the interface between the embankment and base soil. 4. Footing Location: -Different footing locations required different reinforcement strategies to achieve the best results. 5. Failure Zone Penetration: -Basal reinforcement is most effective when the failure zone reaches the interface between the embankment and the base soil. Practical Implications: Using geogrids can significantly enhance the bearing capacity of embankments over soft soils. This has practical applications in construction, especially for constructing roads and railways over less stable ground. By understanding the best ways to place these geogrids, engineers can design safer and more durable structures.

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Photo by T McKinney on Unsplash

Photo by T McKinney on Unsplash

Why is it important?

It was observed that the majority of the studies were conducted on model plate load tests on geosynthetic reinforced sandy or clay soil slopes. However, from the knowledge of authors, very few studies have been conducted on foundation rest on geogrid reinforced embankment slope overlying soft soil. Moreover, there are limited studies on the effectiveness of basal reinforcement, particularly concerning its reliance on the dimensions of the footing. Therefore, the present study proposed to carry out numerical analysis and small-scale laboratory tests to investigate the effects of different parameters on the bearing capacity of a strip footing on top of the reinforced and unreinforced soil slopes of locally available inorganic, low-plastic clay soil over a soft soil base. The study also aims to explore the influence of basal reinforcement on bearing capacity for various footing widths and locations. The findings of this study will provide valuable insights to estimate the bearing capacity of footings on top of such soil slopes and design suitable reinforcement methods using geogrid to improve the bearing capacity.

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