Abstract: This paper presents results of a series of finite element analyses carried out to determine the behaviour of a Reinforced Granular Bed (RGB) overlying clayey soil. The beneficial effects of prestressing the reinforcement is also studied. The interface shear parameters under various conditions were determined by carrying out large scale direct shear tests on Geogrid Reinforced Sand using a shear box of size 300 x 300 x 200mm. It is observed that the beneficial effects of prestressing the reinforcement also depends upon the geometric parameters of the RGB.

Keywords: Finite element analyses, shear strength parameters, shear box, reinforced granular bed, strip footing.