Efficiency of cellular geosynthetics for foundation reinforcement

A numerical simulation of geocell-reinforced foundation beds is reported. The three-dimensional geocells and soil are simulated separately using FLAC3D Finite Difference software. A single geocell-reinforced soil is modeled and the results compared with those from a laboratory test in the literature. The model is extended to geocell foundation beds. The placement conditions in which the geocell layers have the highest efficiency (highest bearing capacity with the lowest cost) are determined. Also, a comparison is made between the performance of cellular geosynthetic reinforcement and a planar form with the same mass of used material (as two reinforcing systems with similar materials but different behavior mechanisms) to identify the system with the greatest efficiency. The analyses are performed for both sandy and clay beds and their results are compared.