Strength behaviour of geogrid reinforced shedi soil subgrade and aggregate system

Abstract

Shedi soil (Lithomargic clay), a yellowish-white silty soil underlying lateritic soil, is densely deposited along Konkan belt of India. The strength behaviour of Shedi soil under varying moisture content is major problem for road construction projects in this region. In the present investigation, the subgrade is stabilized with geogrid, keeping the geogrid at different positions from top of subgrade, to locate its optimum position. The plate load tests were also conducted at soaked and unsoaked conditions for unreinforeced, reinforced (with Geogrid) subgrade with aggregate base course. An equation has been established based on load-deflection values recorded for subgrade of un-reinforced and reinforced with geogrid at different levels. The deflection values obtained from equation and from the laboratory investigation were compared. In the case of reinforced subgrade with aggregate base course, the theoretical deflection values were computed based on Burmister's theory and compared with laboratory deflection values.