Three-Dimensional Numerical Modelling of Geosynthetic Reinforced Pile-Supported Embankments over Soft Ground

摘要

Construction of embankments over soft ground is a challenging task for geotechnical engineers. Thisrnis mainly due to the undesirable characteristics of soft soil such as low bearing capacity, insufficientrnshear strength and very high compressibility which can result in bearing failure, large settlements andrnlocal or global instability. Geosynthetic reinforced pile-supported (GRPS) embankments provide anrneffective solution to overcome these issues. With the use of this technique a higher portion of thernembankment load can be transferred to the piles rather than the soft foundation soil, thus reducing thernstresses applied on to the soft soil. The performance of a GRPS embankment can vary with differentrnparameters such as pile spacing, pile diameter, stiffness of the geosynthetic layer, elastic modulus ofrnthe piles and height of the embankment. This study presents the results of a parametric study usingrnthe finite element modelling to investigate the behaviour of a GRPS embankment. Three-dimensionalrnnumerical modelling is carried out considering two rows of piles to investigate both longitudinal andrntransverse load transfer mechanisms. The variation of maximum settlement at the crest of thernembankment, tension in the geosynthetic layer and the stress concentration ratio with the earlierrnmentioned parameters are discussed in the paper.