Effect of Geosynthetic Reinforcement on Strength Behaviour of Weak Subgrade Soil

Abstract

The performance of flexible pavement depends mainly on the subgrade soil characteristics as it serves as a foundation for pavement. Roads constructed over poor subgrade soil fails frequently leading to heavy economic burden apart from high initial cost of construction. In order to overcome these problems soil reinforcement technique has to be adopted. The use of geosynthetic material is a new and emerging technique and is gaining importance due to cost and time saving apart from less environmental sensitive nature. In the present study an attempt has been made to make use of non-woven geotextile and biaxial geogrid in various combinations. The geogrid was placed above geotextile, both in layers from the top of mold and heavy compaction, soaked CBR and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were performed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicate significant bonding between soil particles and geogrid surface.