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

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 1 - 15, 28.06.2025

Forough Ashkan

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.

Project Number

NA

References

• [1]. Adrian, R. J. 1991. Particle imaging techniques for experimental fluid mechanics. Annu. Rev.. Fluid Mech. 23, 261-304.
• [2]. Hajialilue-Bonab, M., Katebi, H. and Behroz-Sarand, F. 2012. Behavior Investigation of Reinforced and Unreinforced Sand below Strip Foundation using PIV. Cinil Eng. J. 23(2): 103-114. (in Persian)
• [3]. Huang, C. C. and Menq, F. Y. 1997. Deep footing and wide-slab effects on reinforced sandy ground. J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. ASCE 123 (1): 30-36.
• [4]. Jafari-Bari, M. 2005. Determination of the shear modulus of the soil by using of Plaxis1 model. The case study (longitudinal cracking of a flood embankment in the Netherlands). Appl. Res. Irrig. Drain. Struct. Eng. 6(1): 41-52. (in Persian)
• [5]. Moghaddas-Tafreshi, S. N. and Dowson, A. R. 2010. Comparison of the bearing capacity of a strip footing on sand with geocell and with planar forms of geotextile reinforcement. J. Geotext. Geomembranes. 28(1): 72-84.
• [6]. Movahedan, M. 2012. Application and water leakage control of geomembrane linings in water reservoirs. Appl. Res. Irrig. Drain. Struct. Eng. 13(3): 15-28. (in Persian)
• [7]. Qiming, C. and Murad, A. F. 2015. Ultimate bearing capacity analysis of strip footings on reinforced soil foundation. 55(1): 74-85.
• [8]. Yamamoto, K. 1998. Failure mechanism of reinforced foundation ground and its bearing capacity analysis. Ph. D. Thesis. Kumamoto University, Japan.
• [9]. Huang, X., & Tatsuoka, F. 2020. Bearing capacity of strip footing built on geogrid-reinforced sand over soft clay slope and subjected to a vertical load. Electronic Journal of Structural Engineering, 19(1), 24-35.
• [10]. Qiming, C. and Murad, A. F. 2024. Seismic Bearing Capacity of Strip Footings on Reinforced Soil Foundations. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 52(4): 612–630. DOI: 10.1007/s11041-024-00968-3
• [11]. Kim, J. H., Lee, S. Y., and Das, B. M. 2025. Numerical Analysis of Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Strip Footings on Reinforced Soil Foundations. Computers and Geotechnics, 135: 103–115. DOI: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2025.103115
• [12]. Lin, Z., Yan, C., Sang, B., et al. 2024. Strain characteristics of reinforced soft clay around a tunnel under metro loads. Discover Applied Sciences, 6: 389. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-024-06090-y
• [13]. Lin, Z., Yan, C., Sang, B., et al. (2024). Strain characteristics of reinforced soft clay around a tunnel under metro loads. Discover Applied Sciences, 6, 389. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-024-06090-y
• [14]. Ranjan, R., Raviteja, S., Singh, H., & Patel, J. B. (2024). A Comprehensive Finite Element and Reliability-Based Analysis of Hybrid Reinforced Earth Retaining Wall Stability and Deformation. Transportation Infrastructure Geotechnology, 12(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40515-024-00488-2
• [15]. Khawaja, L., Asif, U., Onyelowe, K., Al Asmari, A. F., Khan, D., Javed, M. F., & Alabduljabbar, H. (2024). Development of machine learning models for forecasting the strength of resilient modulus of subgrade soil: genetic and artificial neural network approaches. Scientific Reports, 14, 18244. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-69316-4
• [16]. Guido, V. A., Chang, D. K., and Sweeney, M. A. 1986. Comparison of geogrid and geotextile reinforced earth slabs. Can. Geotech. J. 23, 435-440.