Localized Deformation Behavior of Reinforced Foundation Ground

Abstract

The earth reinforcement practice using several types of reinforcing materials has been widely used around the world in this three decades, and the design methods for these structures are mainly based on limit equilibrium method. Although in the current design method it is assumed that the failure mechanism of the reinforced ground is same as that of non-reinforced ground such as the mechanism proposed by Terzaghi, the real failure mechanism of the reinforced foundation ground has not been investigated. In fact, this is more progressive type of failure than that of the non-reinforced ground because of the tensile property of the reinforcing materials.
In this paper, the behavior of real localized deformation of reinforced foundation ground is investigated based on the model loading test using the simulation of the ground by aluminum rods. A series of the model loading test with and without reinforcing materials are conducted. And not only the improved bearing capacities but also the localized deformation property of the reinforced foundation ground is investigated by taking the photograph. After translating this photograph to the photo CD, the rigid motion is analyzed using computer software. The relation between the bearing capacity property and the progressive localized deformation property is also investigated.