MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATION ON PROGRESSIVE FAILURE OF REINFORCED FOUNDATIONS

KENTARO YAMAMOTO and JUN OTANI 

ABSTRACT: This paper investigates the behavior of real progressive failure of reinforced foundations. Firstly, a series of model loading tests on unreinforced and reinforced foundations are carried out, in which the ground is modeled by aluminum rods. Based on the results of these tests, not only the bearing capacity but also the mechanism of progressive failure are investigated using image processing, analyzing the photographs on the progress of failure at every settlement level. The movement and the micro-rotation of aluminum rods are obtained by experiment. From the analytical procedure, the maximum shear strain and rigid rotation (macro-rotation) are determined. Thus, the progressive failure of reinforced foundations is discussed comprehensively from the above microscopic observation and these analytical results. The results achieved through this paper are fundamental on the localization of deformations and progressive failures of reinforced foundations. These results may provide important information for future designs.

 Key words: bearing capacity, deformation, (failure mechanism), image processing, model test, progressive failure,    reinforced soil, (rotation), shallow foundation (IGC: E3/E14)