Geosynthetic-Reinforced Ferrochrome Slag: Experimental and Numerical Study on the Performance of Square Footing

The substantial annual consumption of natural resources by the building sector raises concerns about future depletion. Conversely, the accumulation of industrial waste in substantial volumes presents crucial environmental hazards. This study explores the utilization of granulated ferrochrome slag (GFS) as a sustainable alternative to sand for shallow foundations which has been little explored for this purpose. The model test is conducted on GFS with a relative density of 30% in a test tank of 1.6 m (L) × 1.0 m (W) × 1.2 m (D) with and without reinforcement to find the ultimate bearing capacity of surface square footing. Two reinforcement geogrid and geotextile types were contemplated in a GFS bed with three layers of conditions at various depths. Bearing capacity ratios (BCR) of 1.29, 1.45, and 1.56 were observed for single, double, and triple layers of geogrid; geotextile outperformed geogrid with BCR of 1.46, 1.92, and 2.28 consecutively. A numerical simulation using PLAXIS-3D has been carried out to validate the model test data. The outcomes of the numerical and experimental results showed a good agreement among themselves. Angular particles with high specific gravity and higher friction angle make GFS a better loading-bearing geomaterial than other granular materials. The chemical examination of GFS found acceptability regarding its leachability within allowable limits. All these factors make GFS satisfactory to use as a reinforced foundation bed material.