Methodology of plate-bearing tests of reinforced ground structures
Objective: Development of the basic methodological provisions of laboratory plate-bearing tests of reinforced ground structures. Methods: In the current situation in design, construction and operation of railways and highways, increased attention is paid to the use of innovative geotechnologies, which allow developing and applying engineering solutions that signiﬁcantly improve the performance of structures while complying with economic requirements. An example of such a promising geotechnology is the use of reinforced ground structures. Improving the deformation characteristics of the base soil becomes possible due to reinforcing geomaterials. Theoretical insights, methods for calculating the stress-strain state of soil masses make it possible to select a reasonable set of parameters of reinforced ground structures and recommend their use in speciﬁc conditions to solve a number of practical problems. The method of accounting for the reinforcing properties of geomaterials, which involves the introduction of a conditionally uniform equivalent layer into the calculation, as well as the procedure developed on its basis for calculating the stress-strain state of reinforced ground structures, necessitate laboratory plate-bearing tests. Results: The basic requirements for the design of laboratory equipment, taking into account the speciﬁcs of the tests have been discussed; the procedure for conducting laboratory plate-bearing tests of reinforced ground structures have been set out; the main requirements have been indicated that should be taken into account when preparing and conducting plate-bearing tests of reinforced ground structures; the data on processing the results of plate-bearing tests of reinforced ground structures have been provided. Practical importance: The reviewed basic methodological provisions of laboratory plate-bearing tests of reinforced ground structures can be used in the development of full-ﬂedged methodology for the study of the deformability of reinforced ground structures made. An appropriate choice of the technical parameters of reinforced ground structures will signiﬁcantly expand the range of their application in the transport construction, which will allow more efﬁciently solving a number of practical engineering problems up to the latest standards