Stability Analysis of Geobelt-Reinforced Cushion Foundations

Geobelt, one type of geosynthetics, can be included into soil to provide lateral confinement through geobelt-soil interface friction under loading. The lateral confinement increases the modulus of the soil cushion so that the modulus ratio of the reinforced cushion to the underlying soft soil stratum is increased. The increased modulus ratio results in a larger stress distribution angle and reduces the stresses distributed onto the underlying soft soil stratum and therefore the bearing capacity of the foundation is increased. Based on experimental and theoretical studies, this paper proposed a method for analyzing the bearing capacity of a geobelt-reinforced cushion foundation. This study found that the bearing capacity of the underlying soft soil can be evaluated using the theories of tensioned membrane and thin layer compression when the width of the foundation is larger than 6 meters. Case studies were selected to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of this method. This proposed method provides the guidance for the design of the geobelt-reinforced foundation.