Three-dimensional numerical modeling of single geocell-reinforced sand

This paper summarizes the development of a three-dimensional numerical model for analyzing single geocell-reinforced soil. In this model, the infill soil was modeled using the Duncan-Chang model, which can simulate non-linearity and stress-dependency of soil. Geocell was modeled using linearly elastic plate elements, which can carry both bending and membrane stresses. A linear interface stress-strain relationship with a Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion was adopted to model the interface friction between the geocell wall and the soil. By modeling the geocell and the soil separately, the interaction between the soil and the geocell can be accurately simulated. To verify this model, a plate load test was conducted in the laboratory, in which a 12-cm-thick sand layer reinforced by a single geocell was subjected to a vertical load from a circular steel plate. The load-displacement curves and the horizontal tensile strain of the geocell were recorded during the test. A numerical model was created according to the setup of the load test. The numerical results compared reasonably well with the test data.     

Efficiency of cellular geosynthetics for foundation reinforcement

A numerical simulation of geocell-reinforced foundation beds is reported. The three-dimensional geocells and soil are simulated separately using FLAC^3D Finite Difference software. A single geocell-reinforced soil is modeled and the results compared with those from a laboratory test in the literature. The model is extended to geocell foundation beds. The placement conditions in which the geocell layers have the highest efficiency (highest bearing capacity with the lowest cost) are determined. Also, a comparison is made between the performance of cellular geosynthetic reinforcement and a planar form with the same mass of used material (as two reinforcing systems with similar materials but different behavior mechanisms) to identify the system with the greatest efficiency. The analyses are performed for both sandy and clay beds and their results are compared.     

Geocell reinforcement for performance improvement of vertical plate anchors in sand

In this paper influence of geocell reinforcement on performance of vertical plate anchors is studied. A series of model tests were carried out in a test bed-cum-loading frame assembly. The anchor used was a steel plate of size 100 mm × 100 mm. With geocell reinforcement the anchor could sustain deformations as high as 60–70% of its height when the load carrying capacity was increased by four fold. The optimum length, width, and height of geocell mattress giving maximum performance improvement are found to be 5, 3 and 2.8 times the anchor height respectively. For adequate performance improvement size of geocell pocket opening should be close to the anchor size. The load dispersion angle that depicts the rigidity of the geocell mattress tends to increase with increase in its width, height and reduction in pocket size. A numerical study using fast Lagrangian analysis of continua was carried out. The agreement between observed and computed results is found to be reasonably good.     

Response of pavement foundations incorporating both geocells and expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam

The suitability of geocell reinforcement in reducing rut depth, surface settlements and/or pavement cracks during service life of the pavements supported on expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam blocks is studied using a series of large-scale cyclic plate load tests plus a number of simplified numerical simulations. It was found that the improvement due to provision of geocell constantly increases as the load cycles increase. The rut depths at the pavement surface significantly decrease due to the increased lateral resistance provided by the geocell in the overlying soil layer, and this compensates the lower competency of the underlying EPS geofoam blocks. The efficiency of geocell reinforcement depends on the amplitude of applied pressure: increasing the amplitude of cyclic pressure increasingly exploits the benefits of the geocell reinforcement. During cyclic loading application, geocells can reduce settlement of the pavement surface by up to 41% compared to an unreinforced case – with even greater reduction as the load cycles increase. Employment of geocell reinforcement substantially decreases the rate of increase in the surface settlement during load repetitions. When very low density EPS geofoam (EPS 10) is used, even though accompanied with overlying reinforced soil of 600 mm thickness, the pavement is incapable of tolerating large cyclic pressures (e.g. 550 kPa). In comparison with the unreinforced case, the resilient modulus is increased by geocell reinforcement by 25%, 34% and 53% for overlying soil thicknesses of 600, 500 and 400 mm, respectively. The improvement due to geocell reinforcement was most pronounced when thinner soil layer was used. The verified three-dimensional numerical modelings assisted in further insight regarding the mechanisms involved. The improvement factors obtained in this study allow a designer to choose appropriate values for a geocell reinforced pavement foundation on EPS geofoam.     

大规模桩筏基础非线性共同作用简化分析方法

提出一种分析桩筏基础非线性共同作用的简化分析方法。将单桩的载荷试验结果应用到桩筏基础的沉降分析中,从而使得沉降预测结果更符合工程实际情况。将筏板假定为弹性薄板,筏板下的群桩假定为相互作用的非线性弹簧,使用双曲线函数拟合载荷试验的Q-S曲线,并用它来模拟桩在荷载下的非线性响应。采用相互作用系数法分析桩-桩间的相互作用,同时考虑桩的“加筋”对相互作用系数的影响。为了简化计算,采用多项式拟合桩-桩、桩-土相互作用系数。使用弹性半空间或有限层理论分析土节点间的相互作用。经过实例分析比较,该方法不但可以节省大量机时,而且可以得到较满意的预测结果。该简化方法可以用于工程实践。     

Uplift capacity of horizontal anchor plate in geocell reinforced sand

The paper investigates the uplift performance of horizontal anchor plate in geocell reinforced sand through a series of model tests. It is noted that the unreinforced anchor plate undergoes a clear failure at a displacement of about 3% of its width, whereas with the provision of geocell and a layer of geotextile right below the geocell mattress significantly increases the uplift capacity by about 4.5 times higher than that of unreinforced sand and could sustain anchor displacement of more than 60%. Results indicates that the geocell mattress by virtue of its rigidity distributes the uplift load in the lateral directions to a larger area, thereby reducing the stress in the overlying soil mass and hence increases the performance of anchor plate system. The provision of the additional geotextile layer right below the geocell mattress is found to be very effective in increasing the stiffness as well as load carrying capacity of anchor plate system. The optimum size (i.e., width and length) of geocell mattress giving adequate load carrying capacity of anchor plate is found to be 5.4 times of anchor width (5.4B). The comparison of model tests results with 3D numerical analysis shows good agreement, indicating that the proposed model is able to capture the uplift load-displacement behaviour of geocell reinforced anchor plate system.     

高填方加筋新旧路堤现场试验与数值模拟分析

 结合山区高速公路拓宽工程,对土工格室处治高填方新旧路堤进行现场试验,分析加宽高填方路堤侧向位移、沉降及土压力变化规律,研究格室处治效果。在现场试验的基础上,采用三维薄膜单元模拟土工格室的立体加筋性能,建立三维弹塑性模型,分析土工格室受力特点,通过对相关参数的敏感性分析,揭示高填方加宽路堤的变形规律。结果表明,采用三维薄膜单元,能较好地反映土工格室处治现场高填方新旧路堤的规律。与现场试验相比,利用数值试验不仅能得到现场的加筋效果,而且还能通过分析筋材与填料参数的变化和筋材铺设间距来研究格室处治高填方路堤的规律,从而可进一步探讨格室加筋的机制。高填方路堤在加宽路基自重荷载作用下沉降主要集中在加宽路堤的中上部,侧向位移从路基顶面到底部依次逐渐减少。土工格室所在层位起到扩散荷载、减少侧向变形和不均匀沉降的作用。填料与筋材模量愈高,加筋间距愈小,加筋效果愈好,较为合理的铺设间距为2～3 m。该研究成果对高填方路堤加筋处理和新旧路基结合部处理均有借鉴意义。     

Effect of reinforcement form on the bearing capacity of square footings on sand

This paper presents the results of laboratory model loading tests and numerical studies carried out on square footings supported on geosynthetic reinforced sand beds. The relative performance of different forms of geosynthetic reinforcement (i.e. geocell, planar layers and randomly distributed mesh elements) in foundation beds is compared; using same quantity of reinforcement in each test. A biaxial geogrid and a geonet are used for reinforcing the sand beds. Geonet is used in two forms of reinforcement, viz. planar layers and geocell, while the biaxial geogrid was used in three forms of reinforcement, viz. planar layers, geocell and randomly distributed mesh elements. Laboratory load tests on unreinforced and reinforced footings are simulated in a numerical model and the results are analyzed to understand the distribution of displacements and stresses below the footing better. Both the experimental and numerical studies demonstrated that the geocell is the most advantageous form of soil reinforcement technique of those investigated, provided there is no rupture of the material during loading. Geogrid used in the form of randomly distributed mesh elements is found to be inferior to the other two forms. Some significant observations on the difference in reinforcement mechanism for different forms of reinforcement are presented in this paper.     

Pullout behavior of geocell reinforcement in cohesionless soils

Large-scale laboratory equipment was developed to assess interaction between soil and 3-D honeycomb shaped geocell reinforcement under normal and interface shear stress. An understanding of this interaction is vital in assessing mechanical behavior of geocell-reinforced soil mass. Specifically, the equipment allows evaluation of the load transfer mechanism with the measurements of strains, displacements and loads, including friction and passive resistance on the side surfaces and inside the cells of geocell reinforcement. Additionally, the device visually presents sequence of movement response of each reinforcing cell in the direction of the pulling force, thereby showing the contribution of each cell to the total capacity. Overall, it is concluded that the pullout capacity of geocell reinforcement in cohesionless soils is limited to the seam peel strength at junctions of longitudinal and transverse of geocell strips, which creates the cells in layout of geocell reinforcement. Finally, a theoretical approach was established to predict the pullout capacity of geocell-reinforced soil mass.     

土工格室碎石基层+刚性路面承载特性模型试验研究

为深入了解土工格室碎石基层上刚性路面的受力变形性能和破坏机理,在以往工作的基础上开展了进一步的模型试验,分别研究了该结构在静荷载作用下的荷载位移曲线和动荷载下的破坏模式,并且模拟了基层下土体被掏空时的工作情况,获得了大量的试验数据,试验结果表明该处治方法可大大提高路面整体的受力性能,加强路面板的协同工作能力,有效扩散上部荷载,从而可有效增大刚性路面板的破坏荷载,并且可以保证在 严重 板底脱空 情况 下的工作性能,将有效减少错台、唧泥等现象的发生。 土工格室的加入使得碎石基层具有了半刚性基层的作用与功能 ,为长寿命水泥路面结构优化研究提供了一条新的思路。     

基于拉压杆模型的FRP-混凝土组合梁受剪承载力研究

为分析FRP-混凝土组合梁的斜截面受剪承载力,在拉压杆模型的基础上,建立了考虑FRP板与混凝土界面发生黏结滑移的FRP-混凝土组合梁拉压杆受剪承载力模型。该模型中,将配置在受拉区的FRP板简化为拉杆,而将变形非协调区的混凝土简化为压杆。为反映FRP与混凝土界面之间的黏结,建立了拉压杆节点区的破坏准则--界面剪应力达到最大黏结剪应力。为验证建立模型的有效性,对已有的试验梁进行了受剪承载力和斜裂缝开裂角度的计算分析。计算结果表明,建立的受剪承载力模型可以有效地预测组合梁的受剪承载力和斜裂缝开裂角度,与试验值吻合较好。     

Investigation of factors influencing behavior of single geocell-reinforced bases under static loading

Geocell, one type of geosynthetics manufactured in the form of three-dimensional interconnected cells, can be used as a reinforcement to improve the behavior of base courses by providing lateral confinement to increase their stiffness and strength and reduce surface permanent-deformation. However, the use of geocells for base reinforcement is hindered by the existing gap between applications and theories. This study experimentally investigated the factors influencing the behavior (stiffness and bearing capacity) of single geocell-reinforced bases including shape, type, embedment, height of geocells, and quality of infill materials. Three of the four types of geocells investigated in this study were made of novel polymeric alloys using a new manufacturing technology. Repeatability and potential scale effects on test results were examined. The test results showed that the geocell placed in a circular shape had a higher stiffness and bearing capacity than that placed in an elliptical shape. The performance of the geocell-reinforced base depended on the elastic modulus of the geocell sheet. The unconfined geocell had a lower stiffness but a higher ultimate load capacity than the confined geocell. The benefit of the geocell was minimized when the infill material, quarry waste with apparent cohesion, was used as compared with the Kansas River sand without apparent cohesion. The single geocell-reinforced base had a lower stiffness and bearing capacity than the multiple geocell-reinforced base.     

Uniaxial compressive behavior of scrapped tire and sand-filled wire netted geocell with a geotextile envelope

Cellular structures are widely used in civil engineering. Their design is based on the understanding of the mechanical behavior of geocells. This paper investigates the response of a single geocell to a uniaxial compression test. The geocells were cubic, either 500 mm or 300 mm on a side. The fill materials were sand and scrapped tire and sand mixtures in different mass ratios. The envelope of the geocell was made up of a hexagonal wire netting cage and a containment geotextile. The response of the geocell is discussed based on the axial load and displacement measurements as well as the change in geocell volume.The axial load was found to be globally governed by the interaction between the fill material and the envelope, which depends on the shape of the wire mesh and the volumetric behavior of the fill material.     

Effect of reinforcement form on the behaviour of coir geotextile reinforced sand beds

Coir geotextile, a natural geotextile manufactured out of coir fibres, has been recognized as a feasible alternative to geosynthetics for reinforcement applications, due to its longevity and excellent engineering properties. It is best suited for low-cost applications in developing countries due to its availability at low prices compared to its synthetic counterparts. This paper presents the results of plate load test on square model footing resting on sand beds reinforced with coir geotextile in geocell and planar forms. Keeping the characteristics and amount of geotextile the same, the performance of the geocell and planar forms were compared. The results indicate that bearing characteristics clearly depend on the form in which reinforcements are applied. For the same amount of material, coir geocell reinforcement provides better performance compared to planar forms. For a settlement of 15% of foundation width, the maximum improvement in bearing capacity for coir geocell was found to be 7.92 compared to 5.83 in the case of planar forms.     

考虑填料–土工格室相互作用的加筋路堤力学响应研究

针对有砟轨道加筋路堤计算分析中难以考虑土工格室对碎石填料嵌锁及摩擦作用的现状,在大比尺直剪试验基础上建立考虑填料–格室相互作用的三维计算模型。通过室内模型试验验证该计算的可靠度和优越性,进而系统地分析有/无加筋情况下,填料强度、土工格室刚度及地基压缩性等参数对路堤力学响应的影响。结果表明:土工格室的嵌锁作用使得加筋对路堤响应的影响在其布设层发挥程度更大,该影响通过填料与格室及填料内的摩擦作用向周围传递且不断衰减;填料强度较低或地基较软时能加强土工格室对路堤响应的影响,对于填料内摩擦角为20°和地基变形模量为5 MPa的工况而言,加筋后基床侧向位移峰值分别降低60%和72%,应力峰值亦显著降低且分布区域明显扩大;土工格室弹性模量为0.2~2.5 GPa时,路堤力学响应受其影响较大。     

车辆荷载下上覆无限大薄板加筋路堤的三维动力响应

利用半解析的方法研究了车辆荷载作用下加筋路堤上覆薄板的动力响应问题。基于Biot多孔弹性介质的波动理论,建立了加筋路堤-道路系统模型。采用上覆Kirchhoff小变形无限大薄板模拟路面板,车辆荷载用4个均布矩形荷载来模拟。在忽略土颗粒自重的情况下,半空间土体引入Biot方程,通过Fourier变换以及边界条件求得变换域里的加筋路堤层位移表达式,采用快速Fourier变换求出时域里的位移。通过数值计算,给出了移动荷载速度、加筋路堤层厚度、板刚度以及加筋率对道路系统位移响应的影响。     

Experimental and numerical investigation of the uplift capacity of plate anchors in geocell-reinforced sand

Plate anchors are frequently used to provide resistance against uplift forces. This paper describes the reinforcing effects of a geocell-reinforced soil layer on uplift behavior of anchor plates. The uplift tests were conducted in a test pit at near full-scale on anchor plates with widths between 150 and 300?mm with embedment depths of 1.5–3 times the anchor width for both unreinforced and geocell-reinforced backfill. A single geocell layer with pocket size 110?mm?×?110?mm and height 100?mm, fabricated from non-perforated and nonwoven geotextile, was used. The results show that the peak and residual uplift capacities of anchor models were highest when the geocell layer over the anchor was used, but with increasing anchor size and embedment depth, the benefit of the geocell reinforcement deceases. Peak loads between 130% and 155% of unreinforced conditions were observed when geocell reinforcement was present. Residual loading increased from 75% to 225% that of the unreinforced scenario. The reinforced anchor system could undergo larger upward displacements before peak loading occurred. These improvements may be attributed to the geocell reinforcement distributing stress to a wider area than the unreinforced case during uplift. The breakout factor increases with embedment depth and decreased with increasing anchor width for both unreinforced and reinforced conditions, the latter yielding larger breakout factors. Calibrated numerical modelling demonstrated favorable agreement with experimental observations, providing insight into detailed behavior of the system. For example, surface heave decreased by over 80% when geocell was present because of a much more efficient stress distribution imparted by the presence of the geocell layer.     

Design of geocell reinforced roads through fragility modeling

Several studies have confirmed the geocell reinforcement system as potential road material. However, there is a wide gap between the number of research studies evaluating the geocell in the laboratory and those dealing with road design methods using the geocell. Due to this gap, the geocell system has not reached its full potential in highways. The present study proposes fragility modeling to design low volume roads by considering the geocell reinforced layer's modulus. A predictive model was developed to estimate the geocell layer's modulus using laboratory and finite element analysis results. The results indicate that geocell reinforcement reduces the stresses on the underlying road layers. The developed fragility approach is then used to examine three road designs for Texas's low volume road involving different geocell reinforced layers. The obtained fragility curves indicate the reliability of each of the three road designs against the traffic load and can thereby assist decision-makers in selecting the optimum design. By designing geocell reinforced roads via fragility modeling, highway officials will be able to integrate any uncertainties in the design inputs and check designs against road performance criteria such as rutting and fatigue cracking, and against decision criteria such as cost, emissions, etc.     

Visualization of load transfer behaviour between geogrid and sand using PFC

Geogrids have been widely used to improve the soil mechanical behaviour in geotechnical engineering. In order to investigate the load transfer behaviour between the geogrid and sand, a numerical compound tensile test (in sand) with one geogrid tensile member has been carried out using PFC^2D. In this study, sand was modelled as unbonded particles using the linear contact stiffness model, while the geogrid was modelled as bonded particles using the piecewise linear model which has been developed based on the parallel bond model. Calibrations have been performed by comparing the numerical simulation results with the experimental data. The load transfer behaviour between the geogrid and sand has been visualized by geogrid force and displacement distributions along the geogrid, contact force changes in the specimen and rotations of the sand particles in the vicinity of the geogrid at different clamp displacements. The DEM simulation results show that PFC^2D can be used as a practical tool to visualize the load transfer behaviour between the geogrid and sand. Furthermore, the visualization results provide researchers more insights into the interface behaviour between the geogrid and sand at a microscopic scale.