Two-dimensional soil arching evolution in geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankments over voids

Soil arching and tensioned membrane effects are two main load transfer mechanisms for geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported (GRPS) embankments over soft soils or voids. Evidences show that the tensioned membrane effect interacts with the soil arching effect. To investigate the soil arching evolution under different geosynthetic reinforcement stiffness and embankment height, a series of discrete element method (DEM) simulations of GRPS embankments were carried out based on physical model tests. The results indicate that the deformation pattern in the GRPS embankments changed from a concentric ellipse arch pattern to an equal settlement pattern with the increase of the embankment height. High stiffness geosynthetic hindered the development of soil arching and required more subsoil settlement to enable the development of maximum soil arching. However, soil arching in the GRPS embankments with low stiffness reinforcement degraded after reaching maximum soil arching. Appropriate stiffness reinforcement ensured the development and stability of maximum soil arching. According to the stress states on the pile top, a concentric ellipse soil arch model is proposed in this paper to describe the soil arching behavior in the GRPS embankments over voids. The predicted heights of soil arches and load efficacies on the piles agreed well with the DEM simulations and the test results from the literature.     

3D numerical study of the performance of geosynthetic-reinforced and pile-supported embankments

Geosynthetic-reinforced and pile-supported (GRPS) systems provide an economic and effective solution for embankments. The load transfer mechanisms are tridimensional ones and depend on the interaction between linked elements, such as piles, soil, and geosynthetics. This paper presents an extensive parametric study using three-dimensional numerical calculations for geosynthetic-reinforced and pile-supported embankments. The numerical analysis is conducted for both cohesive and non-cohesive embankment soils to emphasize the fill soil cohesion effect on the load and settlement efficacy of GRPS embankments. The influence of the embankment height, soft ground elastic modulus, improvement area ratio, geosynthetic tensile stiffness and fill soil properties are also investigated on the arching efficacy, GR membrane efficacy, differential settlement, geosynthetic tension, and settlement reduction performance. The numerical results indicated that the GRPS system shows a good performance for reducing the embankment settlements. The ratio of the embankment height to the pile spacing, subsoil stiffness, and fill soil properties are the most important design parameters to be considered in a GRPS design. The results also suggested that the fill soil cohesion strengthens the soil arching effect, and increases the loading efficacy. However, the soil arching mobilization is not necessarily at the peak state but could be reached at the critical state. Finally, the geosynthetic strains are not uniform along the geosynthetic, and the maximum geosynthetic strain occurs at the pile edge. The geosynthetic deformed shape is a curve that is closer to a circular shape than a parabolic one.     

加筋形式对桩承式路堤工作性状影响的试验研究

对无加筋和采用不同加筋材料、加筋层数下桩承式路堤的工作性状进行了三维模型试验研究,侧重分析了桩土应力比、应力折减系数、填土中竖向应力分布、地基沉降等内容。结果表明加筋材料的设置有利于荷载向桩顶的转移,可有效减小沉降,但不同加筋形式下桩承式路堤的工作性状有所不同。使用单层或双层土工布时,路堤的荷载传递机理主要是填土的土拱效应和加筋材料的拉膜效应,但拉膜效应发挥相对较晚。使用双层格栅时,加筋材料与周围砂土形成半刚性平台。单层格栅的作用介于两者之间。试验结果与常规拉膜效应设计方法的对比表明,若假设荷载只由相邻桩间的加筋材料条带承担,计算的拉力将偏大,过于保守。     

桩承式加筋路堤土拱及格栅受力模型试验研究

介绍了桩承式加筋路堤足尺模型实验装置,该实验装置利用PVC材料水袋模拟桩间软土,从而在一定程度上能够控制桩土差异沉降。路堤填筑过程中测试了路堤内部土压力以及格栅拉力,并且重点分析了桩帽和桩间不同位置处土压力以及格栅拉力随填筑高度的变化规律。实验结果表明,路堤在填筑过程中发生了明显的土拱效应,路堤填筑完成后桩土应力比约为8.46,土拱高度约为1.125倍桩间净距;单向土工格栅能够进一步将桩间上方土压力传递到桩顶上方;随着路堤填筑高度的增加,格栅拉力增长并不大,路堤横向滑移引起的格栅拉力可以忽略不计。     

A simplified method for analysis of a piled embankment reinforced with geosynthetics

Piled embankments provide an economic solution to the problem of constructing embankments over soft soils. The piles and geosynthetic combination can alleviate the uneven surface settlements that sometimes occur in embankments supported by piles without reinforcement. The main focus of this paper is to present a new method for analysis of an embankment of granular fill on soft ground supported by a rectangular grid of piles and geosynthetic. This method is based on consideration of the arching effect in granular soil and similar to the method proposed by Low, B.K., Tang, S.K., Choa, V. [1994. Arching in piled embankments. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 120 (11), 1917–1938]. The main refinements are: inclusion of a uniform surcharge load on the embankment fill, individual square caps were used, and taking into account the skin friction mechanism, which contributes to soil–geosynthetic interface resistance. Using this method, the influence of embankment height, soft ground depth, soft ground elastic modulus, and geosynthetic tensile stiffness on efficiency, stress concentration ratio, settlement ratio, tension of geosynthetic, and axial strain of geosynthetic are investigated. The results show that inclusion of a geosynthetic membrane can increase the fill load carried by piles. As a result, both the total and differential settlements of the embankment can be reduced. The new design method was verified against several current design methods. Theoretical solution showed that BS8006 [1995. Code of Practice for Strengthened/Reinforced Soils and other Fills. British Standards Institution, London, p. 162] and Guido, V.A., Kneuppel, J.D., Sweeny, M.A. [1987. Plate loading tests on geogrid-reinforced earth slabs. In: Proceedings of the Geosynthetics '87, New Orleans, USA, IFAI, pp. 216–225] methods overpredict the vertical stress acting on the geosynthetic due to that the reaction of the soft ground on the geosynthetic is not considered in their methods. It also showed that the present method is in good agreement with Low, B.K., Tang, S.K., Choa, V. [1994. Arching in piled embankments. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 120 (11), 1917–1938] method.     

Serviceability design for geosynthetic reinforced column supported embankments

In recent years, geosynthetic reinforced column supported embankments (GRCSEs) have become an increasingly popular design solution for road and rail infrastructure constructed over soft soil sites. However, the serviceability behaviour and deformation that often govern the suitability of their design is not well understood. This is due, in part, to the difficulties in describing the arching stress development in the load transfer platform (LTP). This paper highlights the need for coupled arching stress-deformation models to describe accurately serviceability behaviour. This approach contrasts the widely adopted two-step design approach, which uses limit-equilibrium models that de-couple the arching stress-deformation relationship to describe ultimate limit state behaviour. Using an analytical example, an arching stress/deformation model and an empirical relationship (developed by others) relating base LTP settlement to surface settlement, the relationship between serviceability behaviour and soft soil parameters is highlighted and the conditions leading to progressive collapse in GRCSEs are described. The approach presented provides a means to predict serviceability behaviour, and at the same time, raises questions about the long-term performance and the manner in which acceptable performance has been achieved in the short-term in several field case studies. In particular, those constructed at, or near, a minimum embankment height.     

Shaking table tests on geosynthetic encased columns in soft clay

This paper presents the results of an experimental research on the behavior of geosynthetic encased stone columns and ordinary stone columns embedded in soft clay under dynamic base shaking. For this purpose, a novel laminar box is designed and developed to run a total of eight sets of 1-G shaking table tests on four different model soil profiles: Soft clay bed, ordinary stone column installed clay bed, and clay beds with geosynthetic encased columns with two different reinforcement stiffnesses. The geosynthetic encased columns are heavily instrumented with strain rosettes to quantify the reinforcement strains developing under the action of dynamic loads. The responses of the columns are studied through the deformation modes of the encased columns and the magnitude and distribution of reinforcement strains under dynamic loading. The response of the granular inclusion enhanced soft subsoil and embankment soil and the identification of the dynamic soil properties of the entire soil body are also discussed in this article. Finally, to determine the effect of dynamic loading on the vertical load carrying capacity, stress-controlled column load tests are undertaken both on seismically loaded and undisturbed columns.     

Centrifuge modeling of geosynthetic-encased stone column-supported embankment over soft clay

Geosynthetic-encased stone column (GESC) has been proven as an effective alternative to reinforcing soft soils. In this paper, a series of centrifuge model tests were conducted to investigate the performance of GESC-supported embankment over soft clay by varying the stiffness of encasement material. The enhancement in the performance of stone columns encased with geosynthetic materials was quantified by comparing the test with ordinary stone columns (OSCs) under identical test conditions. The test results reveal that by encasing stone columns with geosynthetic material, a significant reduction in the ground settlement, relatively faster dissipation of excess pore pressure and enhanced stress concentration ratio was noticed. Moreover, with the increase in the encasement stiffness from 450 kN/m to 3300 kN/m, the stress concentration ratio increased from 4 to 6.5, which signifies the importance of encasement stiffness. In addition, a relatively lower value of soil arching ratio observed for GESCs compared to OSCs indicate the formation of a relatively strong soil arch in the GESC-supported embankment. Interestingly, under embankment loading, GESCs fail by bending while OSCs fail by bulging. The stress reduction method can be used to calculate the settlement of GESC-supported embankment with larger stress reduction factor than that in the OSC-supported embankment. Finally, the limitation of the construction of the embankment at 1 g was addressed.     

A simplified model to analyze the reinforced piled embankments

It is an economic way to use the piled embankment for the construction of embankment over soft soil. The combination of piles and reinforcement can effectively reduce the differential settlement at the surface of embankment. The paper presents a simplified model for analysis of an embankment of granular fill on soft ground supported by reinforcement and piles. This model is based on consideration of the arching effect in granular material proposed by Hewlett & Randolph. The vertical equilibrium of the unit body at the center of pile caps immediately below the reinforcement is established. The refinements of the model are that the failure mechanisms of the arch both at the crown and at the pile cap were considered, three-dimensional situation was taken into account for reinforced piled embankment, calculation of the vertical stress carried by the subsoil due to arching effect and reinforcement for multi-layered soil was proposed. Using the simplified model, the influence of embankment height, one-dimensional compression modulus of subsoil, tensile stiffness of reinforcement on stress reduction ratio (SRR) and tensile force of reinforcement is investigated. It is found that the model can be used to assess the relative contribution of the reinforcement and subsoil. The results show that subsoil gives a major contribution to overall vertical equilibrium, while the reinforcement gives obvious contribution at relatively large settlement. The inclusion of the reinforcement can reduce the vertical stress acting on the subsoil. The simplified model is then evaluated by three case studies. The results of this model show good consistence with these cases.     

Numerical study of creep effects on settlements and load transfer mechanisms of soft soil improved by deep cement mixed soil columns under embankment load

Deep cement mixed (DCM) soil columns have been widely utilized to improve soft soil to support embankments or seawalls. However, the influence of the time-dependent behavior of the soft soil on the performance of DCM column-supported embankments is not well understood. In this study, the finite element (FE) model was established to investigate the creep effects on settlements and load transfer mechanisms of the soft soil improved by DCM columns under embankment load. Comparisons were conducted for the cases of the soft soil with or without creep. The parametric analysis demonstrated that the area replacement ratio and Young's modulus of the DCM column can largely influence the long-term behaviors of the DCM column-improved composite ground. The numerical results were also compared with the results calculated by German design method (EBGEO) and British design method (BS 8006). Regarding the vertical stress taken by the DCM column, EBGEO method provides a lower limit while BS 8006 method provides an upper limit.     

Modelling of geosynthetic-reinforced column-supported embankments using 2D full-width model and modified unit cell approach

Soil-cement deep mixing (DM) columns combined with geosynthetic basal reinforcement are an accepted technique in geotechnical engineering to construct road and railway embankments over soft foundations. Both full-width and unit cell models have been used to numerically simulate the performance of geosynthetic-reinforced and column-supported (GRCS) embankments. However, the typical unit cell model with horizontally fixed side boundaries cannot simulate the lateral spreading of the embankment fill and foundation soil. As a result, the calculated reinforcement tensile loads using typical unit cell models are much less than those from matching full-width models. The paper first examines GRCS embankments using a full-width model with small- and large-strain modes in FLAC and then compares the calculated results from the full-width model with those using a typical unit cell model, a recently proposed modified unit cell model, and a closed-form solution. The paper also examines the influence of the soft foundation soil modulus, reinforcement tensile stiffness, and DM column modulus on the reinforcement tensile loads. Numerical analyses show that the reinforcement tensile loads from the modified unit cell model are in good agreement with those from the full-width model for zones under the embankment crest for all cases and conditions examined in the paper. Both the full-width model and modified unit cell model perform better than the typical unit cell model for the prediction of the reinforcement tensile load when compared to the closed-form solution. However, while the modified unit cell developed by the writers is shown to be more accurate than the typical unit cell when predictions are compared to results using full-width numerical simulations, the benefit of using this approach to reduce computation times may be limited in practice.     

Centrifuge model tests on the deformation behavior of geosynthetic-encased stone column supported embankment under undrained condition

A series of centrifuge model tests were carried out to investigate the performance of geosynthetic-encased stone columns (GESCs) supported embankment under undrained condition. The influence of stiffness of encasement, basal reinforcement and embankment loading on the deformation behavior of GESCs were also assessed. The centrifuge test results reveal that under undrained condition, compared to ordinary stone column (OSC) supported embankment, the settlement of column has reduced by 50% and 34% when columns were encased with high and low stiffness geogrids respectively. Moreover, under identical embankment loading condition, the stress concentration ratio has increased significantly upon inclusion of basal reinforcement in the GESCs supported embankment. In case of OSCs supported embankment, columns experiences bulging in the top portion, inward bending in the central portion and a noticeable shear at the bottom portion. However, when columns were encased with geogrid layer, bulging in the top portion was significantly reduced but the inward bending of columns were noticed. With the inclusion of basal reinforcement, bending curvature of columns increases thereby inducing higher settlement in columns and relatively lesser settlement in surrounding soil. The differential settlement between the encased column and the surrounding soil under embankment loading has been considerably reduced with the inclusion of basal reinforcement.     

Three-dimensional physical modeling of load transfer in basal reinforced embankments under differential settlement

This study developed a large-scale laboratory apparatus to evaluate the load transfer behavior of basal reinforced embankment fill because of soil arching and geogrid tensile force. A 3D trapdoor-like test system performed five scaled model tests using analogical soil. The instrumentation system involved multiple earth pressure cells, dial gauges, multipoint settlement gauges, and geogrid strainmeters. Comprehensive measurements were performed to investigate the evolution of soil stress and displacement at specific fill elevations with variations in the area replacement ratio and geogrid stiffness. The critical height of the soil arching was determined to be ～1.1–1.94 times the clear pile spacing based on the soil stress and displacement profiles. The distribution of the geogrid tensile strain between and above the adjacent caps demonstrated that the maximum geogrid strains occur on top of the caps, and the tensioned geogrid effect on the load transfer efficiency was evaluated. The cap size and center-to-center pile spacing affect the pile efficacy more significantly than the stiffness of the geogrid. The measured critical heights of arching, stress concentration ratios, and geogrid strain matched those calculated by several well-recognized analytical methods. This experimental program facilitates the development of arching models that account for differential settlement impact.     

A simplified method for assessing the serviceability performance of geosynthetic reinforced and pile-supported embankment

A simplified method for assessing the serviceability performance of geosynthetic reinforced and pile-supported embankment is presented, where the subsoil consolidation is introduced remaining compatible with the development of soil arching and the reinforcement sag. A piecewise function of the ground reaction curve is developed and used to quantify the arching efficiency. The link between the arching evolution and the subsoil consolidation is then established through the load-carrying equilibrium in the area between piles together with the tensile membrane theory. The reaction of the subsoil is described using the 1-D consolidation theory where the stress history is considered. A parametric study is performed to demonstrate the serviceability performance of a geosynthetic reinforced and pile-supported embankment. The serviceability design of the geosynthetic reinforced and pile-supported embankment is achieved with the proposed method which offers an approach to estimate the time consumed and the subsoil settlement required to achieve a service state.     

Reinforcement load in geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported model embankments

The stress conditions of geosynthetic reinforcements (GRs) are crucial in achieving the accurate serviceability design of geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported (GRPS) embankments. However, the sensitivity of load distribution to the settlement process has been reported in geosynthetic-reinforced embankment overlying cavities. In this study, a three-dimensional model embankment was used to perform experiments and evaluate the load acting on the GR. A flexible pressure-mapping sensor was introduced to investigate the pressure distribution for two types of supporting conditions: partitioned displacement by multiple movable trapdoors and even trapdoor settlement underneath different subsoil materials. The results showed that the load on the GR was concentrated on the strip areas between adjacent pile heads along with the settlement. The measured load on the GR strip area was related to the settlement process and finally exhibited a U-shaped distribution after detachment from the support underneath. The soil arch height in the subgrade continuously increased with the settlement; meanwhile, the pile head load increased rapidly at first and then decreased slightly or remained stable depending on the foundation support stiffness. For both types of settlement behaviours, soil arching exhibited stress history-related characteristics that influence the load transfer in GRPS embankments.     

桩承式路堤中土拱形态与成拱过程中土拱效应研究

建立了平面应变条件下模拟土拱形成过程的弹塑性有限元模型。研究了桩承式路堤中的土拱形态,分析了影响土拱高度的主要因素和土拱形成过程中桩帽与桩帽间地基土之间的荷载分担特性。研究表明：平面应变条件下土拱的形态为半椭圆,填土内摩擦角和凝聚力的变化对土拱高度的影响较小。土拱高度随桩帽净距的增加先增大后逐渐减小,随路堤高度的增加先线性增加后稳定不变。完整土拱形成时土拱效应发挥程度最大,桩帽间地基土承担的路堤荷载不再向桩帽上转移。     

Effect of geogrid reinforcement on the load transfer in pile-supported embankment under cyclic loading

This paper investigated effects of geogrid reinforcement on the load transfer in pile-supported embankment under cyclic loading using self-moving trapdoor tests. In the self-moving trapdoor test setup, the trapdoor between two stationary portions (which were equivalent to the piles) was supported by compression springs to simulate the subsoil. Quartz sand and a biaxial geogrid were used as the test fill and reinforcement material, respectively. Tests results show that soil arching above the geogrid reinforcement and load transfer to the stationary portions (caused by the soil arching and tensioned membrane effect) experienced a process of “relatively enhancing - relatively degrading” with an increase in the number of cycles and maintained similar degrees within each complete cycle of cyclic loading. Moreover, the inclusion of geogrid reinforcement reduced the mobilization of soil arching, but increased the degree of load transfer to the stationary portions. In addition, cyclic loading with a higher frequency tended to mobilize more soil arching and induce a higher degree of load transfer to stationary portions. Also observed was that a higher frequency cyclic loading tended to decelerate the degradation of load transfer to stationary portions and caused less surface settlement, which indicating increased load-carrying capacity of pile-supported embankment.     

Effect of basal reinforcement on performance of floating geosynthetic encased stone column-supported embankment

In this paper, two centrifuge modeling tests were performed to investigate the influence of basal reinforcement on the global performance of floating geosynthetic encased stone column (GESC)-supported embankments. Based on the centrifuge tests, a 3-dimensional (3D) numerical modeling was carried out to investigate the influence of basal reinforcement on the deformation behavior of the floating GESC-supported embankment. The centrifuge and numerical modeling results showed that the basal reinforcement reduced total and uneven settlement at the embankment crest and base significantly. Moreover, the inclusion of the basal reinforcement significantly reduced the lateral displacement on top of the column, preventing outward bending of the floating GESCs below the embankment toe. However, the basal reinforcement increased the lateral displacement at the bottom of columns.     

桩承式路堤土拱数值模拟中路堤土本构模型的选择

数值模拟方法已成为研究桩承式路堤中土拱最重要的手段,其关键在于路堤填土要采用合理的本构模型。建立桩承式路堤平面土拱分析的弹塑性有限元模型,考虑摩尔-库伦模型（MC）、硬化土模型（HS）和小应变硬化土模型（HSS）3种不同的路堤土本构模型,用有限元方法模拟不同路堤土本构模型下桩承式路堤中的土拱形态和土拱效应。计算结果表明：3种不同路堤土本构模型下平面土拱的形态都是半个椭圆。路堤土采用HS和HSS模型,获得的土拱形态、效应和桩帽-土差异沉降相同。较之HS和HSS模型,路堤土采用MC模型时计算得到的桩帽-土差异沉降较小,桩帽荷载分担比略大。当路堤高度较小时,采用MC模型获得的土拱远小于HS和HSS模型下的计算结果。土拱效应的数值模拟中路堤土可采用简单的MC模型,但土拱形态的数值模拟中路堤土宜采用HS模型。     

Design of geosynthetic reinforced column supported embankments using an interaction diagram

Geosynthetic reinforced column supported embankments predominantly utilise two mechanisms to transfer embankment loads towards column heads, soil arching and membrane actions. When undertaking the design of column supported embankments, it is common practice to perform a two-step design, whereby the arching actions are estimated independently of the subsoil deformation and membrane actions. This approach is unable to capture the deformation dependency exhibited by both arching and membrane actions. This paper presents deformation dependent arching and membrane action models and implements them within an interaction diagram. It is shown that an interaction diagram-based design approach is capable of performing an ultimate and serviceability limit state design of a geosynthetic reinforced column supported embankment. In contrast, most existing analytical design methods only consider the ultimate limit state. The proposed method is applied to a design example where the benefits of such a design approach are demonstrated.