Experimental and large-scale field tests of grid-anchor system performance in increasing the ultimate bearing capacity of granular soils

Abstract

Soil reinforcement by means of geogrid is an effective method of increasing the ultimate bearing capacity (UBC) of granular soils. In this study a new system, created by adding cubic anchors to ordinary geogrids, is introduced to increase the UBC of granular soils. This system is called “grid-anchor” (G-A). To analyse the performance of the G-A system in increasing the UBC of granular soils, 45 experimental tests and 9 field tests were performed, the results of which show that the G-A system is 1.8 times more capable than ordinary geogrids in increasing the UBC in square foundations. Furthermore, the failure of soil reinforced by the ordinary geogrid takes place at a settlement of 9% of the foundation width, while the same value for the G-A system is almost 13%.