Chapter 2
Load Transfer Mechanisms
Publication: Theory Manual for the Load Displacement Compatibility Method (LDC) for Design of Column-Supported Embankments: A Companion to GeogridBridge 3.0
Abstract
The load-displacement compatibility (LDC) method considers three different load transfer mechanisms simultaneously: soil arching in the embankment, vertical load transfer owing to tension developed in geosynthetic reinforcement, and negative skin friction that results in a drag force. Consistent loads and deformations are considered in the calculations for each load transfer mechanism. The reduction in vertical stress caused by the load transfer mechanisms in the LDC method is expressed as a normalized parameter called the stress reduction ratio. Differences in the mobilization of load transfer mechanisms in the time between the short term (i.e. end of embankment construction) and the long-term conditions are not considered in the estimation of the settlement and the time rate of consolidation. Negative skin friction is the load transfer mechanism in which load is distributed from the foundation soil to the columns when soil moves down relative to the columns above the neutral plane.
Get full access to this chapter
View all available purchase options and get full access to this chapter.
References
Briançon, L., and B. Simon. 2012. “Performance of pile-supported embankment over soft soil: Full-scale experiment.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 138 (4): 551–561.
BSI (British Standards Institution). 2010. Code of practice for strengthened/reinforced soils and other fills. BS 8006. London: BSI.
Collin, J. G. 2004. “Column supported embankment design considerations.” In Proc., 52nd Annual Geotechnical Engineering Conf. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota.
Filz, G. F., and R. H. Plaut. 2009. “Practical implications of numerical analyses of geosynthetic reinforcement in column-supported embankments.” In Advances in Ground Improvement: Research to Practice in the United States and China, Geotechnical Special Publication 188. Reston, VA: ASCE.
Filz, G. M., J. A. Sloan, M. P. McGuire, M. Smith, et al. 2019. “Settlement and vertical load transfer in column-supported embankments.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 145 (10): 04019083.
Filz, G. M., and M. E. Smith. 2006. Design of bridging layers in geosynthetic-reinforced, column-supported embankments. VTRC 06-CR12. Charlottesville, VA: Virginia Transportation Research Council.
Giroud, J. P. 1995. “Determination of geosynthetic strain due to deflection.” Geosynth. Int. 2 (3): 635–641.
Han, J., F. Wang, M. Al-Naddaf, and C. Xu. 2017. “Progressive development of two-dimensional soil arching with displacement.” Int. J. Geomech. 17 (12): 04017112.
Hewlett, W. J., and M. F. Randolph. 1988. “Analysis of piled embankments.” Ground Eng. 21 (3): 12–18.
Iglesia, G. R., H. H. Einstein, and R. V. Whitman. 1999. “Determination of vertical loading on underground structures based on an arching evolution concept.” In Geotechnical Engineering for Underground Facilities, edited by G. Fernandez and R. A. Bauer. Reston, VA: ASCE.
Kemfert, H.-G., C. Gobel, D. Alexiew, and C. Heitz. 2004. “German recommendations for reinforced embankments on pile-similar elements.” In Proc., 3rd European Geosynthetics Conf., Geotechnical Engineering with Geosynthetics, 279–294. Munich, Germany: Zentrum Geotechnik.
King, D. J., A. Bouazza, and J. R. Gniel. 2019. “Discussion of ‘progressive development of two-dimensional soil arching with displacement’ by Jie Han, Fei Wang, Mahdi Al-Naddaf, and Chao Xu.” Int. J. Geomech. 19 (3): 07018021.
King, D. J., A. Bouazza, J. R. Gneil, K. Rowe, et al. 2017. “Load-transfer platform behavior in embankments supported on semi-rigid columns: Implications of the ground reaction curve.” Can. Geotech. J. 54 (8): 1158–1175.
Leonard, J. W. 1988. Tension structures. New York: McGraw Hill.
McGuire, M. P. 2011. “Critical height and surface deformations of column-supported embankments.” Ph.D. thesis, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech.
McGuire, M. P., and G. M. Filz. 2008. “Quantitative comparison of theories for geosynthetic reinforcement of column-supported embankments.” In Proc., GeoAmericas 2008 Conf. Cancun: Industrial Fabrics Association International.
McGuire, M. P., J. A. Sloan, E. M. Hunstein, and L. Socolofsky. 2022. “The Ground Reaction Curve and Mobilization of Soil Arching in Geosynthetic-Reinforced Column-Supported Embankments.” In Proc., Geo-Congress 2022, 508–519. Charlotte, NC: ASCE.
Russell, D., P. J. Naughton, and G. Kempton. 2003. “A new design procedure for piled embankments.” In Proc., 56th Canadian Geotechnical Conf. and 2003 NAGS Conf., 858–865. Richmond, Canada: Canadian Geotechnical Society.
Russell, D., and N. Pierpoint. 1997. “An assessment of design methods for piled embankments.” Ground Eng. 30 (11): 39–44.
Schaefer, V. R., R. R. Berg, J. G. Collin, B. R. Christopher, et al. 2016. Ground modification methods reference manual—Volume II. Geotechnical Engineering Circular No. 13. Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration.
Sloan, J. A. 2011. “Column-supported embankments: Full-scale tests and design recommendations.” Ph.D. thesis, Virginia Tech, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Terzaghi, K. 1943. Theoretical soil mechanics. Chichester, UK: Wiley.
van Eekelen, S. J. M., and M. H. A. Brugman. 2016. Design guidance basal reinforced piled embankments. Delft, Netherlands: CRC Press.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Theory Manual for the Load Displacement Compatibility Method (LDC) for Design of Column-Supported Embankments: A Companion to GeogridBridge 3.0
Pages: 5 - 28
ISBN (Online): 978-0-7844-8562-0
Copyright
© 2024 by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Sep 6, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Continuum mechanics
- Design (by type)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Engineering mechanics
- Fluid mechanics
- Geomaterials
- Geomechanics
- Geosynthetics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Hydraulic engineering
- Hydrologic engineering
- Load factors
- Load transfer
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Skin friction
- Soil dynamics
- Soil mechanics
- Soil stabilization
- Static loads
- Statics (mechanics)
- Strength of materials
- Structural analysis
- Structural design
- Structural engineering
- Tensile strength
- Vertical loads
- Water and water resources
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.