Numerical study of the geosynthetics reinforced platforms laid over soft subgrade soil

A DEM-FEM coupled numerical model was used to investigate the behaviour of a platform reinforced by geotextile (GTX) over soft soil subjected to cyclic loading. The ability of the numerical model to consider the settlement of the granular and the subgrade soil surface and the stress transmitted to the top of subgrade layer was established by comparisons with the experimental data for the first loading cycle. A parametric study was carried out using two GTX tensile stiffnesses, one with a medium tensile stiffness and the other with a low tensile stiffness. The comparison between the stress acting on the upper and the lower face of each GTX showed the effect of the tensile stiffness on the tensioned membrane mechanism and confirm the role of the GSY sheet in the numerical model.