Finite Element Analysis of Geosynthetic Reinforced Pile-Supported (GRPS) Embankments
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Date
2016-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
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.
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Keywords
Soft Soils, Geosynthetic Reinforced Pile-Supported (Grps) Embankment, Finite Element Model, Lateral Displacement, Stress, Settlement, Geosynthetic Layers