COMPUTATIONAL MODEL TO ANALYZE THE BEHAVIOR OF BIAXIAL GEOGRIDS APPLIED IN SOIL REINFORCEMENT FOR PAVEMENTS

Abstract

The article presents the results of the computational modeling of a pavement layer reinforced with a biaxial geogrid, for which a multipurpose software based on the ABAQUS/CAE finite element method is used. Initially, the different stages of the computational modeling process of a surface modulus test are explained. In this process, each one of the invariants is explained, detailing the main characteristics and hypotheses taken in the load models, the boundary conditions and the characteristics of the materials. Subsequently, a mathematical and physical calibration of the results is carried out, taking as a reference an experimental program developed by an author in the bibliography. After defining the model, a study is carried out where first the different behavior mechanisms of the reinforced structure are analyzed and they are contrasted with what the bibliographical references suggest. Finally, a quantitative analysis is made of how much the behavior of the structure improves with the inclusion of the reinforcement at different depths