Interaction studies of different geogrids in nonconventional fill materials

In the present era, waste materials like fly ash, bottom ash, slags, and construction and demolition wastes (C&D) are being generated at a rapid rate. Disposal of these produced wastes occupy enormous landfill areas. This study considers the viability of using non-conventional fill materials like pond ash, waste foundry sand, aluminium slag, and pond ash-granulated rubber mix as a fill material in reinforced soil structures. This study proposes axial pullout resistance factors (Fa*) and modified pullout resistance factors (Fam*) considering the effect of transverse pull of different geogrids in these fill materials. The improvement in the factor of safety in the internal stability analysis considering the transverse pull is defined in terms of improvement ratio for different geogrid reinforcements with pond ash and waste foundry sand. Based on the extensive laboratory test results, empirical equations were proposed to estimate the axial and transverse pullout resistances of grids tested in pond ash and waste foundry sand. Additionally, other relevant tests were conducted to check their viability for the proposed application.