ABSTRACT
Strengthening of just the shear bands is a patented idea to prevent the critical failure mechanism in order to increase the capacity of a geotechnical system with a minimum of material. 1g-model tests are used to examine the proposed method for limit load increase. Therefore the failure mechanism and bearing load of a geotechnical system without shear band enhancement are compared to those with shear band enhancement. Two basic geotechnical systems are examined using a narrow model container filled with dry sand: a shallow foundation with bearing failure and a retaining wall with horizontal wall movement resulting in an active earth wedge. The failure mechanisms are identified using PIV. The shear bands are enhanced by pressure controlled injection of a water-cement suspension. 1g-model tests show that shear band enhancement leads to a capacity increase for a simple geotechnical system.
