SBIR-STTR Award

The research objective is to prove the technical and practical feasibility of reinforcing soil with small discontinuous inclusions. This will be accomplished by: (1) an extensive laboratory program emphasizing simulation of field conditions and methods in the laboratory as closely as possible; (2) mixing, placing, and compacting two very different types of small discontinuous reinforcing inclusions in the field using standard construction equipment; and (3) evaluating improvements in soil engineering characteristics of two different reinforced soil materials by studying moisture-density relationships, strength and stressstrain characteristics, settlement characteristics, resistance to compaction, mixing ability, permeability, shear strength, CBR strength, and random placement verses layered placement. This Phase I research should prove the technical and practical feasibility of reinforcing soil with small discontinuous inclusions.The potential commercial application as described by the awarded The commercial potential of practicable use of discontinuous reinforcing elements to construct composite engineering materials is enormous.

Reinforced soil, compaction identification of opportunity: the development of a practicable composite geotechnical material consisting of small discontinuous reinforcing elements in a cohesionless soil matrix would have several important applications, including: backfill for retaining systems; base, subbase, and subgrade materials for pavements; engineered fills; backfill around utilities; bearing materials for foundations in marginal soil areas. Research objectives: to prove the technical and practical feasibility of reinforcing soil with small discontinuous inclusions. Description of the research: -extensive laboratory program emphasizing simulation of field conditions and methods in the laboratory as closely as possible. -mix, place, and compact two very different types of small discontinuous reinforcing inclusions in the field using standard construction equipment. -evaluate improvements in soil engineering characteristics of two different reinforced soil materials by studying moisture-density relationships, strength and stress-strain characteristics, settlement characteristics, resistance to compaction, mixing ability, permeability, shear strength, cbr strength, random placement verses layered placement.

Anticipated Results:
this phase I research should prove the technical and practical feasibility of reinforcing soil with small discontinuous inclusions. Potential applications: commercial production of optimum inclusion elements and practical use of discontinuous reinforcing technology is anticipated to occur following phase iii development.