Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering

Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering

Bearing Capacity of Pile Groups Adjacent to a Geogrid-Reinforced Sandy Slope

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 M.Sc. Student, Faculty of Engineering, , Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Engineering,, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
3 Instructor, Faculty of Engineering,, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
Abstract
Pile groups are widely utilized as foundations for various onshore and offshore structures. When positioned adjacent to or directly on a slope, the axial bearing capacity of both single piles and pile groups decreases. Reinforcing the underlying soil with geogrids is an effective strategy for enhancing bearing capacity; however, the influence of geogrid-reinforced slopes on pile group performance has not been comprehensively examined. This study employs physical model tests to assess the impact of geogrid reinforcement on the bearing capacity of pile groups located at the crest of a sandy slope. In this research, a 2×2 pile group with steel piles of 18 mm diameter and 400 mm embeded length was modeled on the crest of a medium-density sandy slope reinforced with geogrid, and the effects of factors such as the number of geogrid layers, the distance of the first geogrid from the horizontal surface, the spacing between geogrid layers, and geogrid dimensions on axial bearing capacity, tilting, and horizontal displacement of cap were investigated.The experimental results indicate that the optimal placement of the first geogrid layer and optimal distance between geogrid layers is 0.66 times the pile cap width, with three geogrid layers providing the most effective reinforcement. Additionally, geogrid reinforcement significantly reduces horizontal displacement and tilting and with increasing geogrid dimensions, the bearing capacity of the pile group increases.
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  • Receive Date 15 June 2025
  • Revise Date 30 July 2025
  • Accept Date 20 August 2025