Experimental Study of Bearing Capacity of a Strip Foundation on Geogrid-Reinforced Sand

Results of laboratory reduced-scale model tests conducted to determine the ultimate bearing capacity of a strip foundation supported by medium and dense sand reinforced by multiple layers of geogrid are presented. Only one type of sand and one type of geogrid were used. Tests were conducted for surface foundation conditions and for foundations at various depths; the foundation depths were limited to less than the width of the foundation. Based on the test results, for a given thickness of the reinforcement zone, the bearing capacity ratio increases when the depth of the foundation is greater than zero (i.e. the surface foundation condition).