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

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...

Progressive failure mechanisms of geosynthetic-reinforced column-supported embankments over soft soil: Numerical analyses considering the cracks-induced softening

Cement-based columns in combination with geosynthetic reinforcement is a well-established soft ground improvement technique to enhance embankment stability. This paper aims to present a finite-element (FE) study based on a case history of a geosynthetic-reinforced column-supported (GRCS) embankment over soft soil. In this study, the columns...

Mathematical modelling of the mechanical response of geosynthetic-reinforced and pile-supported embankments

Piled foundations are commonly employed to reduce settlements in artificial earth embankments founded on soft soil strata. To limit the number of piles and, consequently, construction costs, popular is the use of geosynthetic reinforcements laid at the embankment base. Nowadays, the complex interaction between geosynthetics, piles and soil is...

Geogrid-anchored sheet pile walls: a small-scale experimental and numerical study

The use of geogrids to anchor Sheet Pile Walls (SPW) is relatively new. A series of small-scale tests was performed to investigate the behaviour of geogrid-Anchored SPWs subjected to strip footing surcharge loading. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) techniques were used to measure soil displacement and analyse the global failure mechanism and...

Multi-scale study of the small-strain damping ratio of fiber-sand composites

The use of polypropylene fibers as a geosynthetic in infrastructures is a promising ground treatment method with applications in the enhancement of the bearing capacity of foundations, slope rehabilitation, strengthening of backfills, as well as the improvement of the seismic behavior of geo-systems. Despite the large number of studies...

Analysis of the behaviour of geogrid-anchored sheet pile walls: Small-scale experiments and 2D PLAXIS analysis

Geogrids are commonly used for reinforcement of soils in construction of railway and road embankments and bridge abutments. A relatively new application of geogrids is the anchorage of sheet pile walls, in which one or more layers of geogrid are attached to the sheet pile wall. This type of anchorage is particularly suitable for projects with...

Calibration of Partial Factors for Basal Reinforced Piled Embankments

In the Netherlands, the design guideline for basal reinforced piled embankments has been revised (CUR226:2015) adopting a new analytical design model (The Concentric Arches (CA) model, Van Eekelen et al., 2013; 2015). The CA model provides geosynthetic reinforcement (GR) strains which were compared with laboratory and in situ measurements (Van...

Calibration of partial factors for basal reinforced piled embankments

In the Netherlands, the design guideline for basal reinforced piled embankments has been revised (CUR226:2015) adopting a new analytical design model (The Concentric Arches (CA) model, Van Eekelen et al., 2013; 2015). The CA model provides geosynthetic reinforcement (GR) strains which were compared with laboratory and in situ measurements (Van...

Basal Reinforced Piled Embankments

A basal reinforced piled embankment consists of a reinforced embankment on a pile foundation. The reinforcement consists of one or more horizontal layers of geosynthetic reinforcement (GR) installed at the base of the embankment. The design of the GR is the subject of this thesis. A basal reinforced piled embankment can be used for the...

Validation of analytical models for the design of basal reinforced piled embankments

Van Eekelen et al., 2012a, Van Eekelen et al., 2012b and Van Eekelen et al., 2013) have introduced an analytical model for the design of the geosynthetic reinforcement (GR) in a piled embankment. This paper further validates this model with measurements from seven full-scale tests and four series of scaled model experiments. Most of these...

Arching in basal reinforced piled embankments - Validation of the concentric arches model

Infrastructural projects such as roads and railway tracks are usually built on an embankment of sand or granular material. When building on soft soils, the prevention of differential settlements and resulting damage is traditionally done by including a long consolidation period in the construction process. One method to decrease construction...

Model experiments on geosynthetic reinforced piled embankments, 3D test series

Role of modelling in the development of design methods for basal reinforced piled embankments

The paper details the role modelling (analytical, physical and numerical) has played in the development of design methods for basal reinforced piled embankments; specifically the level of embankment arching and the determination of the magnitude of the tensile loads in the basal reinforcement. The paper also reviews the major national design...

Centrifuge investigation of the load transfer mechanism above rigid inclusions

Reinforcing compressible soils by rigid inclusions is a method to reduce and homogenize settlements under many types of structures. A granular mattress, located between the structure and the group of piles, transfers part of the loads on the surface to the head of the piles anchored in rigid substrate. An experimental device, a mobile tray, has...

Model experiments on geosynthetic reinforced piled embankments, 3D test series

In the Netherlands, several field measurements were carried out in piled embankments with a geosynthetic basal reinforcement (GR). This paper presents a series of nineteen 3D model experiments on piled embankments. Purpose of the tests was to find an explanation why the calculated GR strains exceed the GR strains measured in the field. This...

The effect of filter jacket clogging on the performance of prefabricated vertical drains in soft soils

Prefabricated vertical drains (PVD) are used to accelerate drainage and consolidation of soft sediment. An effective functioning of these PVD depends on its capacity to drain water from the subsurface. Among other causes, the clogging of filter jackets is thought to be of a considerable negative influence on the functioning of PVD. Current...

Piled embankments with geosynthetic reinforcement: Numerical analysis of scale model tests

In the last few years, the CUR committee 159B has been working on the new Dutch Design Guideline for the design of piled embankments. To validate the guideline several field tests have been performed. From the field measurements is concluded that the design method is very conservative. Improving the design guideline will reduce the construction...

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