SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING OPTIMAL DESIGN CONDITIONS FOR STRUCTURES INCORPORATING GEOSYTHETICALLY CONFINED SOILS

摘要

A system and method are provided for determining optimal design conditions for structures incorporating geosynthetically confined soils. A testing apparatus referred to as a load frame simulates a particular geostructural construction without having to construct a full-scale or near full-scale model. The load frame includes an enclosure made from materials such as concrete block or rigid panels that enclose a plurality of layers of geosynthetic materials and lifts of representative soil and aggregate obtained from the jobsite of the geostructural construction. An upper load plate and lower load plate confine the lifts and geosynthetic materials. A load is applied to the upper load plate in order to compact the contents within the load frame. Both static and vibratory energy can be applied for the loading, thereby closely replicating actual compaction efforts at the job site. Once the contents have been compacted, compaction testing can be conducted to confirm design parameters.

主权项

1. A device for testing design specifications for a construction project incorporating geosynthetically confined soils, comprising:
a load frame having a plurality of walls; a plurality of layers of geosynthetic material placed within an open space between said plurality of walls; a plurality of layers of fill material located between said plurality of layers of geosynthetic material; an upper load plate covering the open space; at least one force applying member communicating with said upper load plate for applying a force to compact the fill material; and wherein force is applied by said force applying member to compact the fill material.