Two-dimensional model tests combined with PIV technology were conducted to study the failure behavior of strip footing on geosynthetic-reinforced granular soil foundations on a mesoscale. The results showed that geosynthetic reinforcements improve the bearing capacity of granular soil foundations; however, the effectiveness of the reinforcement was affected by the position, length, and number of geosynthetics. The mesoscale factor affecting the reinforcement effectiveness was the size of the sliding wedge in the foundation, which was changed by the embedded geosynthetics. As the depth, length, number, and vertical spacing of the reinforcements varied, three possible failure modes occurred in the reinforced foundations: failure above the top reinforcement layer, failure between reinforcement layers, and failure similar to footings on the unreinforced foundation.

The earth pressure acting on soilbag-reinforced retaining structures subjected to surcharge loads under non-limited states is crucial for designing these structures. In this study, mode tests on soilbag-reinforced retaining walls were conducted to the earth pressure of the wall subjected to surcharge loads. The findings from these tests reveal a non-linear distribution of lateral earth pressure on the wall when subjected to surcharge loads in non-limited states, with an observed escalation in pressure corresponding to increased surcharge loads. Insights from the tests facilitated the development of a predictive method for estimating lateral pressure on soilbag-reinforced retaining walls under similar conditions, and its performance was fully validated by the model tests. Furthermore, the impact of the geometric dimensions and material properties of the soilbags on the earth pressure distribution was examined using the proposed method.

The earth pressure acting on soilbag reinforced retaining structures subjected to surcharge loads under non-limited states, is crucial for designing these structures. In this study, the earth pressures are investigated through model tests of the soilbag reinforced retaining wall. Findings from these tests reveal a non-linear distribution of lateral earth pressure on the wall when subjected to surcharge loads in non-limited states, with an observed escalation in pressure corresponding to increased surcharge loads. Compression tests on soilbags were conducted to analyze their lateral stress-strain behavior. Insights from these tests facilitated the development of a predictive method for estimating lateral pressure on soilbag reinforced retaining walls under similar conditions. This method, rooted in the principle of force equilibrium in differential elements, has its accuracy and reliability substantiated by the alignment of its predictions with the model test outcomes.