Discrete-element method simulation of a model test of an embankment reinforced with horizontal–vertical inclusions

摘要

A series of laboratory model tests were conducted on unreinforced embankments,nembankments reinforced with two-layer horizontal inclusions, and embankments reinforced withntwo-layer horizontal–vertical (H–V) inclusions. It is found that H–V inclusions perform better thannhorizontal inclusions in improving the bearing capacity and restricting the lateral displacements. Innthe light of the model test results, numerical simulations were performed, using the discrete-elementnmethod (DEM), to study the behavior of soil embankments reinforced with H–V inclusions. Theneffects of vertical inclusions on the distribution of contact forces and soil deformations wereninvestigated. It is shown that when an embankment is reinforced with H–V inclusions, multiplenvertical force-bearing columns develop inside it that redistribute the stresses and improve thenbearing capacity. With the application of two-layer H–V inclusions, the failure surface is separatednand the arcs become discontinuous. The horizontal reinforcing elements experience mainly tensilenforces, and the vertical reinforcing elements provide resistance to soil particles. Compared withnconventional horizontal inclusions, H–V inclusions restrict the movements of soil particles moreneffectively; consequently, the displacements of soil particles in both the horizontal and verticalndirections are smaller. Overall, the DEM model can simulate the model tests accurately, and isnhelpful for analysis of the microscopic behavior of reinforced soil.