Geosynthetics are a very rapidly growing industry in the United States of America and other parts of the world.; They are now being used in increasing degrees in various civil and environmental-related structures. The primary function of geogrid is reinforcement. They are now being primarily used as a reinforcement material in the construction of the back fill of earth retaining structures, and stabilization of earth embankments. They are also used as a reinforcement of base courses of paved and unpaved highways. However, its utilization in reinforcing soil for increasing the ultimate and allowable bearing capacity of shallow foundations are now being widely tested by various researchers, and federal and state highway authorities.; The results of most of the studies available at the present time are based on laboratory model tests. The purpose of this study is to investigate the ultimate and allowable bearing capacities of a shallow strip foundation near a saturated or a near saturated clay slope stabilized by reinforcement of geogrid layers. Laboratory model tests have been conducted to determine the variation of Ultimate Bearing Capacity Ratio (BCR{dollar}sb{lcub}rm u{rcub}{dollar}) with d/B, u/B, h/B, N and L{dollar}sb{lcub}rm i{rcub}{dollar}/B. Based on the model test results, the variation of BCR{dollar}sb{lcub}rm u{rcub}{dollar} as a function of u/B, d/B, {dollar}beta{dollar}, and b/B will be presented. A tentative design procedure for shallow foundation on geogrid-reinforced clay slopes is presented.; The results of the present tests indicates the significant influence of geogrid reinforcement in improving the load bearing capacity of a foundation.
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