Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Transportation Geotechnics, cilt.49, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
This study introduces a novel semi-empirical method that conceptualizes the geocell layer as an additional surcharge and expanding the effective footing width. This method integrates reinforcement mechanisms, including confinement, stress dispersion, and the membrane effects, to calculate the ultimate bearing capacity of foundations reinforced with geocells. An extensive analysis on the angle of load dispersion was conducted, drawing upon numerous studies from the literature and considering various influencing parameters. The proposed calculation method for both drained and undrained conditions was validated using 130 small- and large-scale experimental results. The effectiveness of the proposed method is assessed across different failure modes, soil relative densities, geocell characteristics, load eccentricities, and footing shapes. The study revealed that the calculated bearing capacities generally aligned with the point where the pressure-settlement curve transitions to a steep and relatively straight tangent, which has been identified by various researchers as the ultimate load. Furthermore, existing methods for calculating the bearing capacity of geocell-reinforced soil inadequately capture the pressure-settlement responses, mainly due to differing failure modes between unreinforced and reinforced soils. In contrast, the proposed method, which does not necessitate unreinforced test results, proves effective in determining the ultimate bearing capacity of reinforced soil within acceptable settlement limits.