Large Model Footing Load Test on Multi-Layer Reinforced Coal Ash Slope

Abstract

Use of Coal ash as structural fills to support footings in low-lying areas can be a cost-effective solution to ash disposal problems. In some applications, especially when footings are constructed near the crest of the ash fill slope, this ash disposal solution may not meet the foundation requirements due to poor load-bearing capacity. Inclusion of horizontal geosynthetic reinforcements within the fill may be one of the most viable solutions in improving the loadbearing capacity of coal ash slope. Most information available in the literature for reinforced soil slope is based on small-scale laboratory model tests but field tests on prototype foundations give more realistic results. In view of the difficulties in accurately modeling full-scale behavior with small-scale laboratory models, practitioner generally does not adopt this result in the field. Therefore in the present investigation, large-scale model footing tests on reinforced coal ash slope were conducted in the laboratory. Prototype geogrid was used as reinforcement. The variables were number of reinforcement and edge distance of footing from the slope crest. The aim of this investigation was to find out the efficacy of multilayer reinforcements in improving the load-bearing capacity of coal ash slope. The results were found to be encouraging and may have practical applications.