Abstract
A series of model tests were conducted in this study to investigate the deformation characteristics of geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported (GRPS) composite foundations under cyclic loading. The effects of the applied load, the number of geogrid layers, and types of piles on the performance of the GRPS composite foundation were studied through 1g physical models of composite foundation with well-planned instrumentation. Furthermore, a numerical fitting method was used to assess the relationship between the foundation settlement and the number of load cycles. The results show that with the increase in the magnitude of cyclic load and the number of load cycles, the settlement of GRPS composite foundations and the strain of the pile and geogrid increased accordingly. Adding rigid piles and increasing the number of geogrid layers both could reduce the settlement of GRPS composite foundations, while adding rigid piles was more effective. The relationship between the foundation settlement and the number of load cycles can be expressed by an exponential regression function. The pile strain varied from place to place that the strain of the upper part of the pile was greater than that of the lower part. The geogrid showed a significant impact on the load transfer mechanism of the composite foundation as the geogrid closer to piles endured larger strain. It is critical to consider the variation of the pile strain and the geogrid strain under cyclic loading in the geotechnical practice of composite foundation. The model test results also suggest that the use of GRPS system can effectively reduce the composite foundation settlement. This paper can provide useful references for developing the theoretical framework and design guides for GRPS composite foundations under cyclic loading.
Highlights
Like mucky clay with poor physical and mechanical properties, are often distributed along coastal areas. e foundations built on soft soils often face challenging safety issues, such as low bearing capacity and intolerable total and differential settlements, which can induce serious engineering accidents
E usage of rigid and flexible piles in composite foundations can effectively reduce total settlements and improve their bearing capacity [4, 5]. e differential settlement between the piles and the soil can develop soil arch in the soil, which has a great influence on load transfer and deformation characteristics [6,7,8,9]
Han and Gabr [10] conducted a numerical analysis and reported that the maximum tension in the geosynthetic reinforcement of a geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported (GRPS) foundation occurred near the edge of the pile
Summary
Received 14 September 2020; Revised 19 November 2020; Accepted 4 December 2020; Published 18 December 2020. A series of model tests were conducted in this study to investigate the deformation characteristics of geosynthetic-reinforced pilesupported (GRPS) composite foundations under cyclic loading. E results show that with the increase in the magnitude of cyclic load and the number of load cycles, the settlement of GRPS composite foundations and the strain of the pile and geogrid increased . Adding rigid piles and increasing the number of geogrid layers both could reduce the settlement of GRPS composite foundations, while adding rigid piles was more effective. It is critical to consider the variation of the pile strain and the geogrid strain under cyclic loading in the geotechnical practice of composite foundation. E model test results suggest that the use of GRPS system can effectively reduce the composite foundation settlement. It is critical to consider the variation of the pile strain and the geogrid strain under cyclic loading in the geotechnical practice of composite foundation. e model test results suggest that the use of GRPS system can effectively reduce the composite foundation settlement. is paper can provide useful references for developing the theoretical framework and design guides for GRPS composite foundations under cyclic loading
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