Bearing Capacity and Settlement Characteristics of Circular and Square Footings on Reinforced Sand Beds with Lateritic Soil Layers

his study presents a comprehensive investigation into the bearing capacity and settlement characteristics of both circular and square footings positioned on reinforced sand beds that are underlain by lateritic soil layers. A series of meticulously controlled laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the performance of these footings, with geogrid reinforcement employed to enhance the structural properties of the sand bed. The research focuses on the combined effects of footing geometry, reinforcement configuration, and the integration of lateritic soil layers on overall foundation behavior. The experimental results reveal that the inclusion of geogrid reinforcement leads to significant improvements in bearing capacity while simultaneously reducing settlement. These findings underscore the potential of reinforced soil systems to enhance foundation performance, thereby demonstrating their practical applicability in geotechnical engineering where improved load distribution and minimized settlement are paramount. Keywords: Optics, bearing capacity, circular and square footings, reinforced sand beds, lateritic soil.