Mechanistic-empirical analysis of geogrid-stabilized layered systems: Part I. Solutions

It is well known that the mechanisms of geogrids in stabilizing base courses over subgrade include lateral restraint and tensioned membrane effects. However, no elastic solutions are available to quantify the responses of base and subgrade due to the effect of a geogrid. This study aimed to develop elastic solutions for geogrid-stabilized base courses over subgrade by considering lateral restraint and tensioned membrane effects. For the analysis of the geogrid-stabilized layered elastic system, lateral resistance and vertical support of the geogrid were expressed as two external stresses determined by the vertical and lateral deformations. The external stresses were then applied at the interface of the two-layer elastic system as continuity conditions and the elastic solutions under a circular load in a cylindrical coordinate were developed according to the elastic theory. The solutions are able to simulate the elastic responses of soil layers due to the effect of the geogrid, for example, elastic strains, vertical stresses, and radial stresses. In addition, the lateral restraint and tensioned membrane effects can be separated by only applying the corresponding external stress at the interface. In the companion paper, the solutions are first verified by test data and then discussed.