Experimental study of a 3D printed geogrid embedded with FBG sensor for reinforcement of subgrade with underlying cave

Abstract

Road construction in karst areas is a challenging task. Combining the advantages of geosynthetics and fiber Bragg grating (FBG), this paper creatively presents a new type of FBG-3D printed geogrid, which allows reinforcement and accurate deformation monitoring. A series of model tests were carried out to investigate the mechanical and deformation characteristics of the subgrade with underlying karst cave reinforced by FBG-3D printed geogrid. The experimental results indicated that the fully coordinated deformation between FBG sensor and geogrid was successfully achieved by 3D printing technology, and the relationship between fiber wavelength and strain was obtained. The existence of cave had an adverse effect on the subgrade, but the FBG-3D printed geogrids effectively improved the bearing capacity and footing settlement, and the reinforcement effect increased with the decrease of geogrid spacing. In the cyclic loading experiments, the earth pressure inside the subgrade reinforced by geogrid changed as a half-sine wave in each cycle. The FBG sensors accurately measured the strain change inside the subgrade, and the data showed that the deformation of measuring point above the cave model was the largest. The research conclusions provide important basic data for the construction and monitoring of highway and geotechnical engineering projects.