Geosynthetic-reinforced and pile-supported embankments: theoretical discussion of finite difference numerical analyses results
Journal article, 2023

Piled foundations are commonly employed to reduce settlements of artificial earth embankments on soft soil strata and geosynthetic reinforcements are installed at the embankment base to increase pile spacing and reduce construction costs. Despite the well-documented effectiveness of this technique, the mechanical processes, developing during the construction in the different elements constituting the 'geo-structure', are not fully understood and the design approaches are based on very simplified assumptions. They disregard the deformability of the various elements constituting the system and cannot be employed to estimate settlements. With the aim of introducing a displacement-based design approach to optimise the use of reinforcements and piles, in this article, the mechanical response of the system during the embankment construction is studied by means of large displacement non-linear finite difference numerical analyses, in which the geosynthetic reinforcement is modelled as an elastic membrane. The arching effect developing within the embankment body is described and the evolution of the process zone, where shear strains localise, is discussed. The global system response is described in terms of (i) average, (ii) differential settlements at the top of the embankment and (iii) maximum tensile force within the geosynthetic reinforcement.

finite difference

Geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankments

geosynthetic

large displacement

embankment construction

arching effect

Author

Viviana Mangraviti

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Geology and Geotechnics

Luca Flessati

Polytechnic University of Milan

Claudio di Prisco

Polytechnic University of Milan

European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering

1964-8189 (ISSN) 2116-7214 (eISSN)

Vol. 27 15 4337-4363

Subject Categories

Geotechnical Engineering

DOI

10.1080/19648189.2023.2190400

More information

Latest update

3/7/2024 9