Abdi M R, Safdari Seh Gonbad M, Tirandazi H. Effects of unreinforced /reinforced sand layers coupled with / without sand columns on bearing capacity – settlement of soft clay. Journal of Engineering Geology 2021; 15 (3) :437-454 URL: http://jeg.khu.ac.ir/article-1-2903-en.html
In current paper the effects of surface unreinforced / reinforced sand layers coupled with and without single and group sand columns on the bearing capacity – settlement behavior of soft clays has been investigated. In this regard behavior of soft clay, clay + unreinforced / reinforced sand layer, clay + single / group sand piles and clay + unreinforced / reinforced sand layer + single / group piles samples has been assessed. Geogrid was adopted as the reinforcement, a circular plate 5cm in diameter as the loading surface and C.B.R. apparatus as the loading system. Results show that employing unreinforced / reinforced sand layers at a settlement ratio of 5% improves bearing capacity by 4 t0 7 times the soft clay. Coupling the surface unreinforced / reinforced sand layers with single / group sand piles further increases the bearing capacity by 7 to 9 times that of soft clay.