Measurement of Deformation in Geosynthetic Reinforced Loose Sand under Hydraulic Loading using Physical and Numerical Modeling

Authors : Forough Ashkan

Pages : 1-15

View : 25 | Download : 32

Publication Date : 2025-06-28

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Reinforced soil structures have proven to be an effective solution in a variety of hydraulic applications such as coastal retaining walls, earth dams, canal linings, settling basins, and irrigation and drainage networks. This study investigates the enhancement of bearing capacity in foundation systems situated on sandy subsoil reinforced with geosynthetics. A series of experimental models were developed to examine the performance of strip footings on reinforced and unreinforced sand, focusing on key variables such as reinforcement type (geogrid vs. geotextile), number of reinforcement layers, depth of the first layer, and spacing between layers. To validate and extend the physical results, numerical simulations were performed using Plaxis v8.2. The results indicate that geogrid reinforcement provides superior bearing performance compared to geotextile and unreinforced conditions, particularly in hydraulic structures subject to fluctuating loads and moisture conditions. The PIV method was employed to monitor soil displacement patterns, and the numerical findings showed good agreement with the physical observations. The increased volume of the failure zone due to reinforcement was found to contribute significantly to bearing capacity improvement, which is crucial for ensuring the long-term stability of hydraulic infrastructures.
Keywords : Strip foundation, reinforced sand, hydraulic loading, experimental modeling (PIV), Plaxis software.

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