Centrifuge Model Test and Numerical Analysis of Geosynthetic-Reinforced Embankments for a Road Widening

The differential settlement and pavement cracking along the joint between an old and new embankment often appear for an embankment widening, which will deteriorate the riding performance of the widened road greatly. Centrifuge model test and numerical analysis using ABAQUS have been carried out for the geosynthetic-reinforced embankment of a road widening. Tensile strain in the geogrid was measured in the centrifuge model test and a sensitivity analysis was carried out with numerical analysis. It was found that the geogrid in the new embankment not only reduces the differential settlement between the new and old embankments, but also limits the horizontal deformation of the new embankment. The effect of geosynthetic-reinforcement in the widening embankments is enhanced with the increase of the geogrid modulus.