ABSTRACT
The paper presents insights from small-scale physical model tests on statically loaded strip footing resting on dense base sand supported by a single geotextile layer on soft subgrade soil. The benefits of the geotextile were assessed by comparing the results obtained for the improved soil model to the unreinforced beds. Experimental testing was conducted in a steel tank with inside dimensions 120/50/80 cm (width/ length/ height). The images were collected by recording the 120×80 cm transparent front side and analyzed by DIC software. Results confirm the contribution of reinforcement inclusions to the improved behavior of base and subgrade layers. A numerical simulation of the strip footing on reinforced and unreinforced sand was applied to assess the geotextile’s influence. Independent laboratory tests were performed to obtain the parameters of numerical models. The FEM results were compared with the experimental observations, and a good agreement with measurements was confirmed.
