Analysis of grid cell reinforced pavement bases

Abstract : The full-scale field tests conducted at the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES) have shown that interconnected shallow, thin-walled cells placed over a soft subgrade, with the cell axes oriented vertically, and filled with sand can provide significantly greater load-carrying capacity than can the compacted soil alone. Laboratory model tests have established some of the influences of (1) the ratio of loaded area radius to cell width, (2) the ratio of cell depth to cell width, (3) the subgrade thickness, and (4) repeated loading. The results of these investigations demonstrated clearly that grid cell systems may provide an economical, easily constructed, and effective expedient pavement structure. Accordingly, this study was undertaken to investigate in further detail the behavior of grid cell systems, with particular reference to failure mechanisms and analytical approaches to design. The possible grid cell failure modes analyzed included (1) cell penetration of the subgrade, (2) cell bursting, (3) cell wall buckling, (4) bearing capacity, (5) bending, (6) durability failure, and (7) excessive rutting. (Author)