Bearing capacity of shallow foundations on geogrid-reinforced sand

In this study, the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations on sand reinforced with geogrid layers was investigated using a small scale laboratory tests. Square, circular and ring footings were used in the model tests. The parameters investigated include the location of the first layer of reinforcement, the vertical spacing of reinforcement layers, the number of reinforcement layers and the width of each reinforcement layer. FE analysis of the test models were carried out by using the FEM program PLAXIS. The analysis were conducted 2D and under axi- symmetric conditions. The computational results obtained from the numerical method are compared with the experimental values. After comparing the results of experiments and the numerical studies some practical design parameters were suggested for the relevant foundation engineering applications. Keywords: Reinforced soil, geogrid, shallow foundation, bearing capacity. II