Effects of Geocell Reinforcement on Bearing Capacity of Poor Ground Subjected to Repetitive Moving Loads

Abstract

A bearing capacity of geocell-reinforced grounds under repeated loadings was investigated byY a series of field tests. Different sizes and rigidity of geocells which were made of veneer plywood . thin galvanized iron sheet and nonwoven geotextile were employed for the test . The surface deflection of test sections were observed until the repetitions of 1000 cycles of 1 .7 ton motor truck loading or their structural failure .From the result of tests it was found that reinforcement effects depended on the properties of confined soil in the geocell and the supporting ground conditions . Moreover geocell materials of high rigidity demonstrated the good reduction of permanent surface deformation; however .progressive large settlement caused the failure of geocell itself. On the other hand a flexible geocell maintained the reinforcement effects on a severe ground settlement subjected to a large number of repetitive stresses .