A design scheme for geocell-reinforced foundations based on the lower bound limit analysis method

Results of laboratory tests on geocell-reinforced soils indicate negligible change in the internal friction angle and development of an apparent cohesion. If sufficient apparent cohesion to withstand applied loads on foundations can be determined, then a suitable kind of soil-geocell composite may be selected among pretested ones by laboratory means. In the present study, using numerical methods of lower bound limit analysis, the required apparent cohesion in the geocell layer to bear the applied load on strip foundations has been determined by back analysis. Effects of contributing factors were evaluated on the results for single and double layer reinforcements.