Reliability-based design of geogrid reinforced soil foundation using kriging surrogates

Abstract

This paper investigates the benefits of using reinforced soil foundations to improve the bearing pressure of shallow foundations on soil using numerical methods. Numerical study of geogrid reinforced soil involves estimation and validation of geogrid properties. Reliability-based design of reinforced soil foundation is performed using kriging surrogates. It involves calibrating and validating a kriging model using samples generated by any deterministic geotechnical numerical model. Surrogate models simplify probabilistic computations and Monte Carlo Simulations. The design methodology is applied for a shallow foundation on soils reinforced with multiple geogrid layers. Results demonstrate the possibilities of surrogate modelling to design geogrid reinforced soil foundations and their capability to reduce settlement and improve bearing capacity, thereby reducing foundation area.