Characteristics of Geogrid-Reinforced Aggregate Under Cyclic Load

Abstract

The characteristics of geogrid-reinforced aggregates over soft subgrade soil were investigated through a laboratory-testing program. Nine cyclic plate load tests were conducted with varying base layer thickness and reinforcement type. Results indicated that aggregate base course (ABC) degraded under cyclic loading as manifested by an increase in stresses at the interface between the ABC and the subgrade with increasing number of cycles. The improvement in stress distribution due to geosynthetic inclusion at the interface of ABC and subgrade soil is indicated by a decrease in the measured maximum stress (under the center of the loaded area) and the measurement of a more uniform stress distribution on the subgrade soil layer. The higher modulus geogrid provided a better load-spreading effect compared with a lower modulus geogrid used in the testing. The improvement in plastic surface deformation was related to two aspects: ( a) decrease in vertical deformation of the subgrade and ( b) decrease in lateral spread of the ABC. A model that incorporates the mechanics of reinforcement contributions to deformation and stresses and the effect of ABC degradation as a function of number of load cycles needs to be developed for the transportation community to fully realize the benefits of reinforcement in such an application.