Two-Dimensional Physical and Numerical Modeling of a Pile-Supported Earth Platform over Soft Soil
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 133, Issue 3
Abstract
This paper focuses on the mechanisms occurring in a granular earth platform over soft ground improved by rigid piles. Two-dimensional physical model experiments were performed using the Schneebeli’s analogical soil to investigate the load transfer mechanisms by arching and the settlement reduction and homogenization. Experimental outputs are compared to results obtained on a numerical model using a plane strain continuum approach. The impact of the constitutive model complexity to simulate the platform material behavior was first assessed, but no large difference was recorded. As far as the proposed model, which takes the main features of the observed behavior satisfactorily into account, the numerical procedure could be validated and the parametric studies extended numerically. Both approaches of this study underlined the main geometrical and geotechnical parameters which should inevitably be taken into account in a simplified design method, namely the capping ratio, the platform height, and the platform material shear strength.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 133 • Issue 3 • March 2007
Pages: 295 - 305
Copyright
© 2007 ASCE.
History
Received: May 16, 2006
Accepted: Sep 20, 2006
Published online: Mar 1, 2007
Published in print: Mar 2007
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