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Effect of Vertical Reinforcement on Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Sand Subgrades
Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Illinois Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Ilinois State Engineer, Expressway Construction Company, Singapore | |
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ABSTRACT |
A new method of soil improvement by using semi-flexible vertical reinforcing elements was investigated in the laboratory and shows promise for future work. Load tests were conducted on two model footing in a sand box using unreinforced sand subgrades and also after reinforcing the sand with vertical reinforcing elements. The ultimate bearing capacities for the unreinforced and reinforced sand cases have been compared. The effect of length, spacing, lateral extent of the reinforcement, and initial relatives density of sand on the ultimate bearing capacity is discussed. The effect of the roughness of reinforcing elements has also been investigated. Based on the results of these tests, it appears that significant improvement in the ultimate bearing capacity of loose and medium sands can be achieved by reinforcing it with flexible vertical elements.
Keywords: reinforcement, footings, bearing capacity, and soil improvement.
