Behavior of strip footing on fiber reinforced model slopes

Laboratory scaled model slopes reinforced with waste carpet fibers were made in a rigid tank with dimensions of 800mm x 300mm x 500mm. Bearing capacities of the strip footing rested on non-reinforced and fiber reinforced model slopes with 1%, 3% and 5% fiber content were compared at 20% footing displacement ratio. The influence of location of footing on the bearing capacity was studied with placing the footing at different edge distances from crest of footing (i.e., 150mm, 100mm and zero). Suction probe sensors were installed at appropriate locations on rear side of the model slope to measure the pore-water pressure due to footing pressure. The results showed that fiber reinforcement increased the bearing pressure of the model slopes significantly. Inclusion of 5% fiber increased the bearing pressure by 271% compared to that of non-reinforced model slope at the footing edge distance ratio of three. Location of footing was found to affect the load carrying capacity gain of the fiber reinforced model slope. Increase in edge distance ratio of the footing increased the load carrying capacity of the model slope.