Settlement and bearing capacity of geogrid-reinforced sand over collapsible soil

The potential benefits of geogrid-reinforced sand over collapsible soil to control wetting-induced collapse settlement was investigated. Model load tests were carried out using a circular plate of 100 mm diameter and Tensar SS2 geogrids. The width and depth of the geogrid were varied to determine their effects on the collapse settlement, deformation modulus and bearing capacity ratios. The results showed that there is significant difference in the structural contribution of the tested geogrid which range from 95% reduction in settlement, to 2000% increase in elastic modulus and 320% increase in bearing capacity. It was found that the efficiency of the sand-geogrid system increased with increasing geogrid width and decreasing geogrid depth. For efficient and economical reinforcement of sand pad over collapsible soil, geogrid width of Four times the diameter of loaded area (D) and depth of 0.1D are recommended. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.