Browsing by Author "Haleluya, Mesfin"

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    Finite Element Analysis of Geosynthetic Reinforced Pile-Supported (GRPS) Embankments
    (Addis Ababa University, 2016-06) Haleluya, Mesfin; Mequanent, Mulugeta (Mr.)
    A large number of projects are now being carried out on soft ground due to the limitation of land availability for infrastructure projects in many countries. In addition, embankments are often required in many civil engineering construction projects involving infrastructure development to elevate the ground level. However, the undesirable characteristics associated with soft soils such as inadequate bearing capacity and large settlements/displacements, which can occur over a long time made embankment construction over soft ground is a challenging task. Several researches in the past have shown that Geosynthetic Reinforced Piled Embankment Systems (GRPES) are attractive solutions for such problems. Thus, a finite element model was carried out using the finite element software ABAQUS in order to investigate the behavior of GRPS embankments and improve the existing knowledge in the area. The role of pile supports and geosynthetic reinforcement was investigated using a two-dimensional numerical model with three different analysis cases i.e. when the soft soil is not improved - case 1, when a pile support is used in the soft soil - case 2, and when a pile support and geosynthetic reinforcement are used together - case 3. It is observed that there is 80% reduction in lateral displacement in case 2 than case 1 and 12% reduction in case 3 than case 2. The incorporation of piles to the soft soil has shown a 2.65% increase in vertical stress and a 96% reduction in settlements. Pile settlements were found to be low by about 83% compared to the corresponding subsoil. The incorporation of geosynthetic reinforcement while the piles are present showed a slight reduction in vertical displacement. In addition, the influence of increasing the number of geosynthetic layers caused a reduction in the lateral displacement.