Bearing Capacity Analysis of Reinforced Earth Slabs

Laboratory data from some 65 small scale strip footing bearing capacity tests were used as a basis to develop an analytical procedure of predicting the load-settlement and ultimate bearing capacity of a strip footing on sand which contains horizontal strips of tensile reinforcing. The theory is formulated in terms of the ratio of bearing capacity with and without reinforcing, assuming that existing methods are adequate for predicting bearing capacities on sand with 0 reinforcing. A working hypothesis is suggested involving a particular failure mode suggested from the tests. The dimensions, strength, and frictional properties of the sand and reinforcing are incorporated directly with this assumed failure mode to give a direct solution to the bearing capacity. An example calculation is included along with an approximate comparative cost analysis.