A simplified planar model for geosynthetics reinforced composite foundation subjected to vertical load

Abstract

A simplified planar model for geosynthetics reinforced composite foundation under large-scale loading was established with a new consolidation analysis. The cushion was modeled by modified Pasternak model and the reaction of pile and subsoil was modeled by Winkler model. The effect of geosynthetics layer was directly considered as an elastic cable and the subsoil was divided into numerous columns with only vertical drainage. The solution was obtained by a finite difference based iterative scheme. The feasibility of the model was demonstrated by a case study. Then a parameter study was executed to analyze the effect of several influential factors. The results showed that there is a critical pile –to-pitch ratio that makes the increase of the stiffness of the geosynthetic material the most conducive to deformation control.