Try to change the stiffness of the geogrid. The geogrid will reduce the settlement through the 'tension membrane effect', if it is modelled as a line element, i.e., with no bending stiffness. In the tension membrane effect, the deformation is resisted when the length between two nodes of the geogrid element increase due to deformation or settlement. If the stiffness of the geogrid is increased, the resistance to this deformation increases, and consequently, the deformation decreases. To visualise the explanation, please refer to the following paper (Fig A2 in the appendix) Article Reinforcement and mud-pumping benefits of geosynthetics in r...

Dear Mayuresh Bakare

Practically and theoretically, this procedure is totally right. However, No considerable change occurs when I increase the stiffness from, for example, 500 kPa to 5000 kPa and even more. I use Plaxis 2D connect.

If there is no change in output wrt change in geogrid stiffness, then the settlement is too low to mobilise the stiffness of the geogrid. There could be two reasons:

1. the depth of the geogrid layer is such that deviatoric strains are low at the location.

2. the load applied and the corresponding settlement are too low. Thus are the strains in geogrid, and consequently, the effect of geogrid inclusion is negligible.

The effect of basal reinforcement in footings or embankments will be pronounced only if the soil being reinforced is very weak (soft soils with low bearing capacity). Please check accordingly.

Mayuresh Bakare

Thank you very much. I have tried to increase the load intensity and decrease the soil stiffness. I got some difference in results. However, many researchers have recognized some problems in considering Geogrid in Palxis.

Yet another aspect of the mechanism, i.e., the anchorage at the end, should be considered. Please refer to the research by Prof. Sanjay Shukla in this regard.