Bearing capacity of shallow strip foundation on geogrid-reinforced sand subjected to inclined load

Abstract

Laboratory model test results for the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow strip foundation on multi-layered geogrid-reinforced dense and loose sand subjected to centric inclined load have been presented. The angle of friction for the dense sand and loose sand was 41 and 34 degrees, respectively. The tests have been conducted using biaxial geogrid layers as reinforcement with the embedment ratio (Df = depth of embedment of the foundation, B = width of foundation) varying as 0, 0.5, 1, and the load inclination (α) varying from 0 to 20° in 5° increments. The inclined load to the model foundation was applied by a specially designed machine. Based on the laboratory model test results, an empirical reduction factor has been developed to estimate the ultimate inclined load per unit area from the ultimate bearing capacity with vertical centric loading. The non-dimensional reduction factor is a function of Df, B, α, and df (df = distance between the ground surface and bottom geogrid layer).