Abstract

Results of laboratory model tests and numerical studies on the behavior of a strip footing adjacent to a sand slope are investigated and presented in this paper. The investigated parameters include the effects of depth of the first reinforcement layer, vertical spacing, number of reinforcement layers, and distance between the edges of footings on bearing capacity. Results were analyzed to determine the effects of each parameter. Using a strip footing located near a sand slope crest had a significant effect on improving bearing capacity. The improvement increased when relative density decreased. The depth of the first layer decreased with further improvement when the distance of the footing edge from the slope crest increased. Using a strip footing can be considered effective in controlling the horizontal movement of the subgrade and in decreasing slope deformation. Finite element analysis explained and identified the failure pattern of strip footings adjacent to a slope crest. The findings also confirmed the load transfer mechanism and showed how a slope can be protected when geotextile is used.

Key words: Strip footing, slope stability, plaxis, bearing capacity, scale effects.