Behaviour of Eccentrically Loaded Model Square Footing On Reinforced Soil: An Experimental Investigation
Behaviour of Eccentrically Loaded Model Square Footing On Reinforced Soil: An Experimental Investigation
Behaviour of Eccentrically Loaded Model Square Footing On Reinforced Soil: An Experimental Investigation
ABSTRACT: The experimental investigations are reported on the study of load-deformation behavior of model
square footing on reinforced soil in respect of two-layered system comprising clay as sub-grade and mine waste
as backfill material. The footing was subjected to eccentric loads. Three different types of reinforcing materials
such as Geotextiles, Kolon Geo-grid (KGR-40) and Rubber grids derived out of waste tyres were used in the
study. The study revealed that the performance of an eccentrically loaded model square footing improves with
the presence of reinforcing element in the soil system. This is reflected in terms of the values of BCR, SRF and
tilt of footing. The beneficial effect of reinforcement is particularly observed at higher load eccentricities.
Further, rubber grid performed better than the geo-grid and geotextiles in respect of BCR, SRF and tilt of
footings. The study indicates significance of solid waste materials such as mine wastes and discarded tyres as
effective civil engineering construction materials.
Keywords Geo-grid, Geo-textile, Rubber-grid, Settlement reduction factor, Bearing Capacity ratio.
I.
INTRODUCTION
Footings serving as foundations for retaining walls, abutments, stanchions and portal framed buildings may be
subjected to moments and shears in addition to vertical loads. An eccentric load or an eccentric-inclined load
may replace these forces and moments. Further, founding of structure on a ground with adequate bearing
capacity is one of the basic requirements for the stability of a structure. However, in some situations, structures
are required to be built even on weak or difficult soils. Under such circumstances, improvement of bearing
capacity of such soil is of great importance for the safety and long term stability of the structures. Inclusion of
reinforcing layers within the sub-soil is an effective and economical method amongst many others.
Soil reinforcing technique has emerged as one of the promising field in civil engineering, especially for
a foundation engineer to improve certain characteristics of soils. Many waste materials such as rubber shreds,
high density poly ethylene (HDPE) strips, polypropylene fibers and jute fibers have been used as fill along soil
in embankments and retaining walls to improve certain soil characteristics.
Some of the prominent investigations reported in the literature dealing with numerical and
experimental studies on the behaviour of footings subjected to vertical and inclined loads on un- reinforced soil
and the reinforced are briefly reviewed in the subsequent paragraph. Further, few of the investigations pertaining
to the use of waste materials in various civil engineering works are also briefly reviewed.
Meyerhof [1], Siddiquee et.al. [2] and others have reported theoretical studies and model tests to study
the behavior footing subjected to axial loads on un-reinforced soil. The interfacial friction (skin friction)
between the soil and construction materials is one of the aspects of the design of reinforced soil system. This
aspect was studied by several researchers, e.g. Ingold [3] and Kate et al. [4] through experimental studies by
conducting pull out tests and sliding tests on reinforcing materials. Several experimental and analytical studies
are reported on the behavior of footing on reinforced soil. Some of the prominent investigations reported on this
aspect include those by Binquet and Lee [5], Akinmusru and Akinbolade [6], Ohri and Choudhary [7],
Manjunath [8], Dash et al. [9], Kumar and Saran [10] and Basudhar et al. [11]. Several studies are reported on
the effect of waste materials on the performance of subgrade soil. Some of the prominent works include those by
Benson and Khire [12], Garga and OShaughnessy [13] and Praveen Kumar et al. [14].
II.
The afore- mentioned review of literature cites many work related to mobilization of internal friction, reinforced
soil bed on soft clay and sand, isolated footing as well as strip footings, subjected to axial and eccentric loads in
respect of reinforced soil and un-reinforced soil bed. Several researchers reported model tests on soft soils
reinforced with waste inclusions to improve the strength and bearing capacity of such soils. There could be a
number of situations in which soft soils are to be used as a foundation material. Most problems of soft clays
under imposed loads can be identified to be associated with low shear strength and high compressibility.
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Behaviour of Eccentrically Loaded Model Square Footing on Reinforced Soil: An Experimental Investigation
The review, further, highlights relatively lesser work on reinforced soil technique using rubbergrids as
reinforcing material in solving engineering problems associated with foundations on soft clays subjected to
vertical centric and eccentric loads. On the backdrop of the need to understand the behaviour of rubber
reinforced system, an experimental investigation was conducted on the model footings reinforced with
rubbergrid, Dewaikar et al. [15] reported the study of load deflection behaviour of model square and circular
footings, under un-reinforced and reinforced conditions in respect of a two-layered system, consisting of clay as
sub-grade and mine waste as backfill material, under the application of vertical centric loads.
Kolon geogrid KGR-40, non woven geotextile GPB-203 (Sri Dinesh Mills, Vadodara) and rubbergrids
derived out of waste tyres (Fig. 1) were used as single layer reinforcements soft sub-grade to control settlement
were investigated in the studies. The width and depth of the reinforcing materials were varied to determine their
effects on the settlement and bearing capacity ratios. The results on rubber grids showed that, there is significant
difference in the contribution of increase in bearing capacity ratios and settlement reduction factors as compared
to the other reinforcing elements.
Along similar lines, The load-deformation behavior of a model square footing under un-reinforced and
reinforced conditions in respect of a two-layered system, consisting of clay as sub-grade and mine waste as
backfill material, under the application of eccentric loads along one axis of the footing is reported in this paper.
In view of this, an experimental investigation was conducted on the soft soil reinforced with geotextiles, geogrid and rubber grid.
III.
MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY OF INVESTIGATION
Experimental Programme
The experimental programme included a series of model footing tests on two layered soil system. Model mild
steel plates of square and circular shapes with thickness 20 mm were used and following aspects were studied.
Shape of footing: Square (120 mm 120 mm)
Eccentricity of the applied load (e): 0.00B, 0.1 B, 0.2 B and 0.3 B (B being the width / diameter of
model footing)
Thickness of the granular layer (H): 0.25 B, 0.375 B and 0.5 B
Width of the reinforcement (B): 2 B, 4 B and 6B
Type of reinforcement: Geotextile, Geo-grid and Rubber-grid (Fig.1)
Geotextile
Geogrid
Rubbergrid
Fig. 1: Different reinforcement used in the study
Test Tank Details
Tests were conducted in a tank (1000 mm 1000 mm 1000 mm) fabricated out of 8 mm thick M.S. plates.
Load was applied through a load cell of 50 kN capacity, attached to a hydraulic jack and it was operated through
a hydraulic power pack of 75 kN capacity. A load and displacement indicator unit facilitated reading the applied
load and displacement of footing at any instant of time to an accuracy of 10 N. Three linear variable differential
transformers (LVDT) were used to record settlements of the footing (Fig.2). The model footings (12012020
mm) were placed on air-dried (un-reinforced and reinforced) mine waste, compacted to a relative density of
78.85% on clay sub-grade of wet density 1.768 gm/cc with 88% degree of saturation. Footings were subjected to
vertical eccentric loads.
The schematic of the model footings (cross-section and plan) is shown in Fig.2. The physical properties
of soils are reported in Table 1 and 2. The description and properties of the reinforcements are reported in Table
3 -5.
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Behaviour of Eccentrically Loaded Model Square Footing on Reinforced Soil: An Experimental Investigation
Hydraulic jack
Loading frame
Model footing
Display
indicator
Load indicator
Load cell
LVDT
Mine waste
Reinforcement
Subgrade - clay
Test tank
Trolly
Hyd. power
pack
Water outlet
Concrete platform
2.65
1.48
1.165
78.85
0.892
1.274
0.790
35.5
1.4
1.720
1.33
2.619
45.75
33.09
12.66
33.5
Specification
PET
280
20/ 22
14/6
40/20
<12
<1
2.0
50
Strips
5
5
Blackish white
50
Nylon reinforced, Bias
Yes
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Behaviour of Eccentrically Loaded Model Square Footing on Reinforced Soil: An Experimental Investigation
Light weight
Yes
Non biodegradable
Yes
Material
SBR
Tensile strength at break (kN)
0.11*
Elongation at break (%)
45
*Applied strain rate 6 mm/ min
Table 5: Properties of Geotextile
MAKE: Non- woven needle punched geotextile,
Manufactured by: Shri Dinesh Mills, Vadodara, Gujrat (India)
Type
GPB 203
Material Composition
Polypropylene
Weight (g/m2)
225
Thickness (mm)
2
Breaking Strength (kg)
Warp away
30
Weft away
60
Breaking elongation (%)
80-110
Water Permeability (wt/m2/sec at lower head)
140
Micron Size (wet sieving method)
30
Mullen Bursting Strength (kg/cm2)
15
IV.
190
164
105
85
17.8
18
18.4
18.8
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Behaviour of Eccentrically Loaded Model Square Footing on Reinforced Soil: An Experimental Investigation
Similarly, the values of the angle of tilt at failure for various load eccentricities in respect of a model
square are shown in Table 7. The pressure- tilt relationships for various eccentricities of applied loads indicates
that, with increase in load eccentricity, angle of tilt increases, ultimate bearing pressure decreases and also,
pressure- tilt curve turns linear.
Table 7: Variation of angle of tilt at failure
Eccentricity (e/B)
Angle of tilt
0.0B
0.01B
0.02B
0.03B
0.0
7.5
11
14
Reinforced Case
In respect of the tests under reinforced condition, pressure settlement characteristics were obtained to
optimize the thickness of backfill material required on clay sub-grade and width of reinforcement. The
performance of various reinforcements was also evaluated.
Effect of reinforcement on BCR
A typical pressure-settlement relationships for a load eccentricity (e/B= 0.1) and corresponding to a
critical case are shown in Figure 3, respectively for all the reinforcements. Similarly, the UBP, BCR and SRF
values for various eccentricities at critical value of H/B ratio is shown in Table 8.
Bearing Pressure (kPa)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
0
2
e=0.1B
Settlement (mm)
4
6
8
Unreinforced
Geogrid
Rubbergrid
Geotextiles
10
12
14
16
18
20
UR
190
164
105
85
UBP (kPa)
GT
GG
480
520
434
487
311
386
290
340
RG
570
540
405
380
% increase in UBP
GT
GG
RG
152
173
200
164
195
229
196
268
286
241
300
347
GT
2.52
2.65
2.96
3.41
BCR
GG
2.73
2.96
3.68
4.00
RG
3.00
3.29
3.86
4.47
GT
0.92
0.971
0.988
0.991
SRF
GG
0.89
0.942
0.946
0.949
RG
0.83
0.859
0.886
0.892
All the tests were conducted with the centroid of reinforcing elements in line with the applied load. The
ultimate bearing pressure is found to reduce with the increase in the eccentricity of load in all the cases. At the
same time, the settlement of footing is observed to increase with increase in eccentricity for a given pressure.
However, for any specified load eccentricity and for a given load, the settlement in case of a reinforced system
is considerably less than that in case of un-reinforced system.
The results indicate that, the provision of a reinforcement layer at the interface of the mine waste and
clay, results in an increase in the ultimate bearing pressure by 164%, 196%, and 241%, respectively for e/ B =
0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 in case of geo-textile, 195%, 268% and 300% in case of geo-grid and 29%, 286% and 347% in
case of rubber-grid as compared to the un-reinforced cases.
It is further observed that, the rubber grid yields 39.63%, 46.66% and 43.98% more bearing pressure at
e/ B = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3, respectively than geotextiles. The corresponding values in case of geogrid are 17.43%,
6.72% and 15.66%, respectively. This may also be due to the fact that, placement of centriod of reinforcement in
line with the applied load, brings a large part of the reinforcement in the zone of soil deformation, thus allowing
a better utilization of its tensile strength.
It is further observed that, the BCR improves with increasing load eccentricity. In other words, it
means that, provision of reinforcement has more beneficial effect at higher load eccentricities. For both the
footings the geo-grid is found to perform better than geotextile and rubber-grid is found to perform better than
geo-grid in respect of BCR.
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Behaviour of Eccentrically Loaded Model Square Footing on Reinforced Soil: An Experimental Investigation
The values of the BCR are observed to be 3.29, 3.86 and 4.47, respectively corresponding to e/ B
values of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 in case of rubber-grid. These are higher by 24.15%, 30.40% and 31.08% as compared
to that in respect of geotextile and by 11.14%, 4.89% and 11.75% as compared to that in respect of geo-grid. It
is observed that the rubber-grid proves to be more efficient as compared to other reinforcing elements in respect
of BCR.
Effect of reinforcement on settlement
It is observed that, there is a considerable reduction in the settlement in case of reinforced system as compared
to the un-reinforced one. The values of the settlement reduction factor (SRF) are observed to increase with the
increase in the eccentricity of load in respect of all the reinforcements. The values of the SRF are found to be
0.859, 0.886 and 0.892, respectively corresponding to e/B values of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 in case of rubber-grid.
These are lower by 13.03%, 11.51% and 11.09% as compared to that in respect of geotextile; and by 9.66%,
6.78% and 6.39% as compared to that in respect of geo-grid. Thus, the results indicate that rubber grid is more
effective in terms of improvement in settlement.
Effect of reinforcement on tilt
A typical pressure - tilt relationships for a load eccentricity (e/B =0.1) corresponding to critical case are shown
in Fig. 4. Similarly, the values of the angle of tilt and corresponding percentage reduction in tilt for reinforced
critical case at different eccentricities are shown in Table 9.
Bearing Pressure (kPa)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
0
e=0.1B
Angle of Tilt(Degrees)
Unreinforced
Geogrid
Rubbergrid
Geotextiles
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
UR
0.0
7.5
11
14
Square footing
Angle of tilt
% reduction in tilt
GT
GG
RG
GT
GG
RG
0.0
0.0
0.0
5.5
5
4.8
36
50
56
8.25
7
6.5
33
57
69
12
10
9.5
17
40
47
The above results clearly show that, rubber grid is more effective in terms of the improvement in bearing
pressure, reduction in settlement and angle of tilt than the other two reinforcements. The superior performance
of the rubber grid may be attributed to better frictional adherence between the longitudinal members of the grid
and soil which is influenced by the surface properties and coefficient of friction between them. The nylon belt
provided within the tread and sidewalls of the tyre remains protruded even after stripping (Fig.5).
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Behaviour of Eccentrically Loaded Model Square Footing on Reinforced Soil: An Experimental Investigation
This helps in creating the desired roughness in the rubber grid and in turn develops greater frictional
resistance, although its tensile strength is less than that of geo grid. Semi- elastic properties of rubber grid
develop better pseudo- cohesion owing to the temporary deformation of rubber grid. However, this mechanism
is not present in case of other conventional grids. Moreover, the apertures present in the grid structure, there are
chances for better interlocking of the sub-grade and the reinforcement along with the backfill material. Hence,
the performance of grids is better than that of geo-textile.
V.
Some of the broad conclusions emerged from the present study are as under:
i. Provision of reinforcement results in enhancement of ultimate bearing pressure and bearing capacity
ratio (BCR). This enhancement is more for higher load eccentricities as compared to the lower ones,
thus showing beneficial effects of the reinforcement.
ii. Reduction in settlement on provision of reinforcement, shows a decreasing trend, i.e., settlements are
more at higher load eccentricities.
iii. Performance of rubber grid is superior to the other two reinforcements, both in terms of bearing
capacity ratio (BCR) and settlement reduction, with geotextile being the least effective.
iv. Optimum width of reinforcement (B) for deriving maximum possible BCR is about 4B in case of all
the reinforcements and for both the footings.
v. With geo-synthetic reinforcement, the critical value of H/B ratio corresponding to maximum BCR is
about 0.375 for all reinforcing elements.
vi. Rubber reinforcement probes to be more economical and effective soil reinforcing elements.
The performance of eccentrically loaded model square footing improves with the presence of
reinforcing element in the soil system. This is reflected in terms of the values of BCR, SRF and tilt of footing.
The beneficial effect of reinforcement is particularly observed at higher load eccentricities as shown by the
increasing values of BCR. The better performance of rubber grid could be a cheaper and viable alternative for
effective ground improvement. The study underscores the effective utilization of the solid wastes generated in
the process of mining in conjunction with the rubber wastes as civil engineering construction materials.
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