Laboratory Tests of Strip Footing on Reinforced Cohesive Soil

Abstract

Results of an experimental investigation into the bearing-capacity aspects of reinforced cohesive soils are presented. Undrained model tests are carried out on strip footings on unreinforced and reinforced cohesive soil. The reinforcements are in the form of ties that have been cut out from household aluminum foil. The reinforcement ties are placed only in the direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the footing. In this study, the length of the reinforcing ties and the spacing between them is varied. It is observed that the bearing capacity of the strip footing on reinforced cohesive soil is affected more by the spacing between the reinforcing ties than by the length of the ties. Overall, an increase in the bearing capacity of reinforced cohesive soils is found and compared to unreinforced cohesive soils. Finally the failure mechanism of reinforced cohesive soils under strip footing has been discussed. Different failure modes based on the density of reinforcements have been identified.