Reinforced soil, compaction identification of opportunity: the development of a practicable composite geotechnical material consisting of small discontinuous reinforcing elements in a cohesionless soil matrix would have several important applications, including: backfill for retaining systems; base, subbase, and subgrade materials for pavements; engineered fills; backfill around utilities; bearing materials for foundations in marginal soil areas. Research objectives: to prove the technical and practical feasibility of reinforcing soil with small discontinuous inclusions. Description of the research: -extensive laboratory program emphasizing simulation of field conditions and methods in the laboratory as closely as possible. -mix, place, and compact two very different types of small discontinuous reinforcing inclusions in the field using standard construction equipment. -evaluate improvements in soil engineering characteristics of two different reinforced soil materials by studying moisture-density relationships, strength and stress-strain characteristics, settlement characteristics, resistance to compaction, mixing ability, permeability, shear strength, cbr strength, random placement verses layered placement.
Anticipated Results: this phase I research should prove the technical and practical feasibility of reinforcing soil with small discontinuous inclusions. Potential applications: commercial production of optimum inclusion elements and practical use of discontinuous reinforcing technology is anticipated to occur following phase iii development.
