IMPROVEMENT OF LOOSE GRANULAR SOIL BY USING GEOGRID REINFORCEMENT

Abstract

There are several uses of granular soils in civil engineering works such as but not limited to under foundations structures, subbase course of roads, unpaved roads and soil embankments. This research attempts to overcome the problems of low-quality (by means of strength) of granular soil by enhancing California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test by utilizing geogrid. The research aim's to investigate the potential benefits of using the geogrid to improve CBR of granular soil. The results of tests showed that the granular soil under study was inferior than the materials comply on class C of Iraqi specifications for granular soil material. On the other hand, using of geogrid type Tensar SS2 at 0.15H (where H the total thickness of granular material samples) improves extremely the CBR value of the granular soil as it is increased by about three times in comparison with untreated soil.