Experimental and numerical investigation of the behavior of eccentrically loaded shallow foundations on cohesionless soils reinforced with geogrid layers

This study presents the experimental and numerical assessment of the bearing capacity of eccentrically loaded model footings on geogrid-reinforced sand. Rigid square plate with 100 mm and 400 mm widths were used as the model Faoundations in the laboratory tests. The effect of load eccentricity, anchorage length of reinforcement its placement pattern, and the number of geogrid layers on the bearing capacity ratio were examined using laboratory model loading tests and 3-D finite element analyses. Recommendations on the optimum anchorage length and the number of geogrid layers were made. A new relationship for the assessment of the change in the bearing capacity as a function of load eccentricity and the depth of reinforced soil layer is proposed.