A Comparison of Two and Three Dimensional Finite Element Modelling of a Geosynthetic Reinforced Pile-Supported Embankment

摘要

Embankment construction on soft ground has increased considerably over recent years as a result ofrnthe increase in infrastructure development activities and due to the unavailability of suitable land.rnGeosynthetic reinforced pile-supported (GRPS) embankments provide an effective and reliablernsolution to the problem of constructing embankments over soft ground. The combination ofrngeosynthetic reinforcement and piles can alleviate the uneven surface settlements on thernembankment crest while reducing the embankment load transferred to the soft foundation soil. Thisrnpaper presents a numerical analysis based on the finite element method carried out on a GRPSrnembankment. Analysis was carried out in both two-dimensional plane strain condition for different twodimensionalrnidealizations of piles and in three-dimensional condition. The interaction betweenrngeosynthetic and soil was taken into consideration during the analysis. The results obtained for therntwo-dimensional models are compared with the three-dimensional model results. The stressrntransferred to the piles and foundation soil, development of settlements at the base of thernembankment on both foundation soil and piles and the generation and dissipation of excess porernwater pressures during and after construction for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional modelsrnare discussed.