A centrifuge model study was carried out investigating the effects of the inclusion ofgeogrid reinforcement in a sand layer constructed over a thin, very soft clay layer to facilitatethe construction of warehouse floors supporting product stockpiles. The use of geogridreinforcement allowed larger surcharge loads to be applied for a given amount of settlementby allowing load to be spread over the footprint area of the geogrid due to the tensionmembrane effect and its associated benefits. A lower-bound calculation of the load at whichthe tensile reinforcement starts to function is presented. Upper-bound solutions were found tooverestimate allowable surcharge loads, as they are associated with unacceptable deformations.The reinforcing effect of the geogrid was found to have been fully mobilised at 5% verticalcompression of the clay layer.
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