Flexural Behavior of Strip Footing Foundations Reinforced with Uniaxial Geogrids and FGRC: Experimental Study and Empirical Correlations

Geogrids are commonly used geosynthetic materials for soil stabilization and reinforcement of earth structures, including dams and earth walls. This study investigates the impact of using uniaxial geogrids for reinforcement in fiber glass reinforced concrete (FGRC) on the flexural behavior of strip footing foundations. The experimental research consists of testing fourteen reinforced concrete strip footings to failure under line loading. The variables in this study include the number of geogrid layers (one, two, and three), the percentage of longitudinal reinforcement and type of concrete mixture. The study reports and compares deflection, loads at each stage, stiffness, ductility, energy absorption, crack patterns, steel, concrete, and geogrid strains of the footings. The results show that using geogrid layers as a reinforcing technique effectively improves the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete footings and enhances the cracking patterns. The number of geogrid layers used in the footings significantly increases the loads at each stage and decreases the deflections of the footings. Additionally, adding fibers to reinforced concrete footings, along with geogrid layers, increases the loads at different load deflection stages. An empirical equation was correlated to establish the relationship between the moment acting on the footings and the tensile strength of geogrid reinforcement. The empirical evidence from the experiments clearly indicates a substantial enhancement in the strength resistance of geogrid-reinforced footings with FGRC compared to those reinforced with steel and normal concrete mix. This Study shows geogrids improve reinforced concrete footings and stabilize earth structures for construction industry.