Abstract
This paper presents the results of studies of creep and rate of loading effects on geogrid-reinforced dune sand. Model plate load tests were conducted on reinforced sand beds under displacement and load controls. Displacement controlled set of plate load tests were carried out in the range 1-0.001 mm/min. Load controlled set of plate load tests were carried out in which the staged pressure was held constant for 6000 min. Results indicate that rate of displacement (strain rate) is very significant for potential improvement of geogrid-reinforced sand. Both stiffness and bearing capacity of geogrid-reinforced sand increases logarithmically with rate of displacement. Geogrid reduces the creep of sand especially in the working pressure range. A simple stiffness degradation and creep relationships were obtained for geogrid-reinforced dune sand. The results of the tests are reported, and the significance of each control variable is assessed.