Bearing capacity of eccentrically loaded strip footings close to geotextile-reinforced sand slope

Abstract

A series of bearing capacity tests were conducted with an eccentrically (e/B = 0, 1/12, 1/6, 1/3) loaded model surface (Df/B = 0) and shallow (Df/B = 0.25) strip footings (B = 80 mm) resting close to reinforced finite sand slopes to investigate ultimate loads, failure surfaces, load–displacement curves, rotation of footing, etc. The experimental set-up used to run the tests consists of a tank, model footing, sand, and a loading mechanism. A single woven geotextile strip sheet was placed horizontally below the footing’s base at a depth of half of the footing’s width. Ultimate loads decreased with increasing eccentricity. This decrease is due to a combination of eccentricity and slope. The use of geotextile reinforcement increased ultimate loads in comparison with unreinforced cases. Failure surfaces were not symmetrical, primary failure surfaces developed on the eccentricity (slope) side, and secondary failure surfaces developed on the other side. Lengths of failure surfaces decreased with increasing eccentricity. Prior to failure, footings always rotated towards the eccentricity (slope) side a few degrees.