Abstract
A total of 104 laboratory model tests on a square footing subjected to eccentrically inclined loads supported by sand reinforced with randomly distributed polypropylene fibers were conducted in order to compare the results with those obtained from unreinforced sand and with each other. For conducting the model tests, uniform sand was compacted in a test box at one particular relative density of compaction. The effect of percentage of reinforcement used, thickness of the reinforced layer, angle of inclination of load to vertical and eccentricity of load applied on various prominent factors such as ultimate load, vertical settlement, horizontal deformation and tilt were investigated. An improvement in ultimate load, vertical settlement, horizontal deformation and tilt of foundation was observed with an increase in the percentage of fibers used and thickness of reinforced sand layer under different inclinations and eccentricities of load. A statistical model using non-linear regression analysis based on present experimental data for predicting the vertical settlement (sp), horizontal deformation (hdp) and tilt (tp) of square footing on reinforced sand at any load applied was done where the dependent variable was predicted settlement (sp), horizontal deformation (hdp) and tilt (tp) respectively.