Bearing capacity of footings on geosynthetic-reinforced soils under combined loading

In this study, the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow strip footings resting on a geosynthetic-reinforced soil mass subjected to inclined and eccentric combined loading is rigorously examined through the well-established method of lower bound limit analysis (LA) in conjunction with finite element (FE) and second-order cone programming (SOCP). Lower bound limit analysis formulation is modified to consider the ultimate tensile force of the geosynthetic layer in the soil mass so as to account for both pullout (sliding) and rupture (structural) modes of reinforcement failure. The effects of several parameters, including the embedment depth (u) and the ultimate tensile strength (T_u) of the geosynthetic layer along with load inclination angle (α) and load eccentricity (e), on the bearing capacity ratio (BCR) and failure envelopes of the overlying shallow foundation are examined and discussed. The results generally show a marked increase in the ultimate bearing capacity of the surface footing against combined loading with the inclusion of a single geosynthetic layer. Results also reveal that a second intermediate reinforcement might be required to bear a dual performance against both vertical concentric and combined loading scenarios so as to more effectively support the footing.