Dynamic Response of Shallow Mat Footings on Coir Geotextile Reinforced Sand Under Cyclic Loading

The use of shaking table tests to investigate the dynamic behavior of soil-structure interaction dates back several decades. In this study the response of a laboratory scale mat foundation constructed on well-graded fine sand under cyclic loading conditions was examined. The study also sought to evaluate the impact of geotextile reinforcement on the dynamic behavior of the mat foundation. Six tests were conducted under both unsaturated and saturated conditions, with and without geotextile reinforcement. The results of the tests revealed that incorporating geotextile into both unsaturated and saturated sand resulted in a decrease in the acceleration of the model foundation. These findings highlight the potential of geotextile reinforcement as an effective means of improving the performance of mat foundations on fine-grained soils subjected to cyclic loading. The results may have implications for the design and construction of mat foundations in real-world applications, particularly in earthquake-prone regions where cyclic loading is a major concern.