Problems for Foundations on Weak Soils

• Experience excessive settlement

• Possible bearing capacity failure under load

Geosynthetics Possible Solutions

• Geosynthetic/fiber reinforcement
• Metallic strip
- Nilanjan Mitra • Stone columns
• Soil-cement columns
Columnar systems
• Lime columns
• Grout columns
• Vibro concrete columns
• Micro piles

Placement of Geosynthetic Reinforcement

Combined Use of Geosynthetics and Pile/Columnar System

Widening of existing roads Retaining walls

Subgrade improvement

Storage tank

Geosynthetics
Material – polyester, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene.
Major Functions of Geosynthetics
Fabric can be woven, knitted or punched

Donot deteriorate by corrosion in presence of chemicals, lasts long when exposed

• Reinforcement
to direct sunlight and/or water. Extensively utilized for Reinforced-Earth-Construction.
• Separation
Primary uses:
1> drainage path to assist consolidation of clayey deposits • Filtration
2> separation media (ballast from subgrade) • Drainage
3> Soil reinforcement (retaining wall, stability of slopes, improving foundation bearing
capacity) • Moisture barrier
4> Filtration medium for drainage
5> Containment to liquid or gas

1
 Identification of the Usual Primary Function for Each Type of Geosynthetic

Separation Reinforcement Filtration Drainage Containment

Type of Geosynthetic (GS)

Geotextile (GT) X X X X

Geogrid (GG) X

Geonet (GN) X

Geomembrane (GM) X

Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL) X

Geopipe (GP) X

Geofoam (GF) X

Geocomposite (GC) X X X X X

Geotextile Filtration
Transportation and Stone
Pavement Topsoil

450 mm
base
Geotechnical Applications GT
400 mm
Crushed
Soil subgrade stone/
• GTs as filters perforated
300 mm pipe
• GTs and GGs as wall reinforcement
• GTs and GGs as slope reinforcement
• GC Wick Drains (also called PVDs)
• GC Erosion Control Systems

(GT Filter in Excavated Trench) (Crushed Stone & Perforated Pipe)

2
3
 Pools, Ponds and Lakes
• sites vary from small-to-huge
• usually access is limited
• liners required for leakage control
• covers sometimes required for
contamination control and for safety

Elements of a GT or GG Wall Design Geocomposite Wick Drains

P1 P2(live loads)

D
• also called prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs)
Surcharge
• used for rapid consolidation of saturated fine
z
LR LE
grained soils
σhs + σhq + σht = σh
H sv • consists of a drainage core with a GT
45+φ/2 filter/separator wrapped completely around it
L0 Total lateral • typically 100 mm wide, by 2 to 10 mm thick, by
Soil Surcharge Live load
L pressure pressure pressure pressure
100 m long (in roll or coil form)

(With Concrete Facing) (Green Wall with Vegetated Facing) (Driving Wick Drains) (Ready for Surcharge Fill)

4
 Double Liner System Final Cover System
(with leak detection layer)
GG
GT

GN
il
So
ver
GCL Co
perforated pipe GC or GN
GM
GG
GT GM

GCL

GP or GC

(Lining a Canal: Before Soil Covering) (GCL Lining of a Canal)

(Lined Potable Water Reservoir)

(Huge GM Bag Transporting Potable Water)

(GM Canal 18 years after GM Lined)

Failures of Reinforced Embankment

Bearing

Rotational

Internal
Spreading