Designing the Soilbag Columns: An Analytical Approach and Numerical Validation

Document Type : Regular Paper

Authors

1 Department of Civil Engineering, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, formerly Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

2 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

The use of wrapping geosystems such as soilbags as reinforcement has been increasingly studied. Soilbag columns may be utilized as an alternative method for improving the weak soil under the footing. An analytical approach was developed to predict the stress-strain response of the soilbags under compression. Using three-dimensional numerical modeling, the validity of the relationships was investigated and then developed for the soilbag columns supporting the footing loads. Compared to numerical results, it was found that for the stiffer wrapping materials, the analytical approach overestimates the bearing stress of the soilbag columns. However, the estimation of the bearing stress of soilbag columns matches well with the numerical results for high values of backfill friction angles. The results from the analyses were used to develop the design guidelines for the design of soilbag columns for the given settlement. Design charts propose a preliminary selection for the tensile stiffness of wrapping geosystems.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

[1]     Matsuoka, H; Liu S. A new earth reinforcement method using soilbags. CRC press; 2006.
[2]     Tatsuoka F, Tateyama M, Uchimura T, Koseki J. Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil Retaining Walls as Important Permanent Structures 1996 - 1997 Mercer Lecture. Geosynth Int 1997;4:81–136. https://doi.org/10.1680/gein.4.0090.
[3]     Liu S, Fan K, Xu S. Field study of a retaining wall constructed with clay-filled soilbags. Geotext Geomembranes 2019;47:87–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2018.11.001.
[4]     Huang C-C, Matsushima K, Mohri Y, Tatsuoka F. Analysis of sand slopes stabilized with facing of soil bags with extended reinforcement strips. Geosynth Int - GEOSYNTH INT 2008;15:232–45. https://doi.org/10.1680/gein.2008.15.4.232.
[5]     Matsushima K, Tatsuoka F, Mohri Y, Aqil U. Shear strength and deformation characteristics of geosynthetic soil bags stacked horizontal and inclined. Geosynth Int - GEOSYNTH INT 2008;15:119–35. https://doi.org/10.1680/gein.2008.15.2.119.
[6]     Xu Y, Zhang H. Design of soilbag-protected slopes in expansive soils. Geotext Geomembranes 2021;49:1036–45. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2021.02.001.
[7]     Matsuoka H, Liu S. New Earth Reinforcement Method by Soilbags (“Donow”). Soils Found 2003;43:173–88. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3208/sandf.43.6_173.
[8]     xu Y, Huang J, Du Y, Sun D. Earth reinforcement using soilbags. Geotext Geomembranes - GEOTEXT Geomembr 2008;26:279–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2007.10.003.
[9]     Cheng H, Yamamoto H, Thoeni K. Numerical study on stress states and fabric anisotropies in soilbags using the DEM. Comput Geotech 2016;76:170–83. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.03.006.
[10]   Wang L, Liu S, Liao J, Fan K. Field load tests and modelling of soft foundation reinforced by soilbags. Geosynth Int 2019;26:1–36. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgein.19.00036.
[11]   Lohani T, Matsushima K, Aqil U, Mohri Y, Tatsuoka F. Evaluating the strength and deformation characteristics of a soil bag pile from full-scale laboratory tests. Geosynth Int - GEOSYNTH INT 2006;13. https://doi.org/10.1680/gein.2006.13.6.246.
[12]   Ansari Y, Merifield R, Yamamoto H, Sheng D. Numerical analysis of soilbags under compression and cyclic shear. Comput Geotech 2011;38:659–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2011.02.002.
[13]   Sadr A, Hataf N. Experimental and analytical study on soilbag and encased sand columns in loose sand. Transp Geotech 2021;29:100553. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2021.100553.
[14]   Tatsuoka F. An approximate isotropic perfectly plastic solution for compressive strength of geosynthetic-reinforced soil. Geosynth Int - GEOSYNTH INT 2004;11:390–405. https://doi.org/10.1680/gein.2004.11.5.390.
[15]   Hataf N, Sayadi M. Experimental and numerical study on the bearing capacity of soils reinforced using geobags. J Build Eng 2017;15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2017.11.015.
[16]   Sadr A, Kaliakin VN, Hataf N, Manahiloh KN. Numerical study of soilbag columns and comparison to encased soil columns in loose sand. Comput Geotech 2022;142:104588. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104588.
[17]   Liu S-H, Jia F, Shen C-M, Weng L-P. Strength characteristics of soilbags under inclined loads. Geotext Geomembranes 2018;46:1–10. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2017.09.002.
[18]   Tantono SF, Bauer E. Numerical simulation of a soilbag under vertical compression, 2008.
[19]   Doi T, Murono Y, Iwai H, Zhang F. Numerical investigation of dynamic behavior of composite foundation composed of soilbags and piles by 3D elastoplastic FEM. Soils Found 2022;62:101158. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2022.101158.
[20]   Haddad A, Bahrehdar M. Numerical and experimental evaluation of soilbags deformation under vertical loading, 2012.
[21]   Rao, S.N; Reddy, K.M; Kumar PH. Studies on groups of stone columns in soft clays. Geotech Eng J South East Asian Geotech Soc 1997;28:165–82.
[22]   A.P. A, Gandhi S. Behavior of Stone Columns Based on Experimental and FEM Analysis. J Geotech Geoenvironmental Eng - J GEOTECH GEOENVIRON ENG 2007;133. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2007)133:4(405).
[23]   Dr. Alexiew D, Brokemper D, Lothspeich S. Geotextile Encased Columns (GEC): Load Capacity, Geotextile Selection and Pre-Design Graphs. Geotech. Spec. Publ., 2005, p. 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1061/40777(156)12.
[24]   Shahu JT, Madhav MR, Hayashi S. Analysis of soft ground-granular pile-granular mat system. Comput Geotech 2000;27:45–62. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/S0266-352X(00)00004-5.

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 03 March 2023
  • Revise Date: 22 May 2023
  • Accept Date: 05 July 2023

Share

How to cite

Statistics