Evolution of Soil Arching: 2D Analytical Models
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 18, Issue 6
Abstract
Three soil-arching evolution patterns in unreinforced piled embankments were observed in a series of two-dimensional (2D) model tests using a multitrapdoor test setup. These include the triangular expanding pattern, the tower-shaped evolution pattern, and the equal settlement pattern. The inclination of the slip surfaces and the height of the vertical slip surfaces that enclose the tower-shaped arches were found to be the critical parameters describing the arching evolution. Three analytical models were proposed to describe the evolution processes of the three arching-evolution patterns and to find the stress distributions of the corresponding processes. Load distribution equations were also derived from these models. Using the empirical relationships between the inclination of the slip surfaces and the tower height and settlement, the stress distribution ratio during the entire evolution process was calculated. The models matched the model tests well.
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Acknowledgments
The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant 51208403), Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province (Grant 2016CFB469), Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant 2017II11XZ), and Science and the Technology Planning Project of Wuhan Urban Construction Commission (Grant 201639). These sources are greatly acknowledged.
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 18 • Issue 6 • June 2018
Copyright
© 2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 28, 2017
Accepted: Dec 19, 2017
Published online: Apr 9, 2018
Published in print: Jun 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Sep 9, 2018
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