Arching in Piled Embankments
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 120, Issue 11
Abstract
Model tests and theoretical analysis were done to investigate the arching in embankments on soft ground supported by piles with cap beams and geo‐textiles. The cap‐beam‐and‐geotextile combination may alleviate the uneven surface settlements that sometimes occur in embankments supported by piles with individual square caps. In the model tests, sand was placed on simulated cap beams and soft ground. The loads on the cap beams and soft ground were recorded and compared with theoretical analysis based on equilibrium of semicylindrical sand arches. In a second series of model tests, a geotextile layer was laid on the cap beams and the soft ground prior to placement of sand. Equations and charts were developed to show the parameters affecting the tension in the geotextile and to assess the effect of geotextile on load transfer. Theoretical solution showed reasonable agreement with experimental results for cases with no geotextile but only partial agreement for cases with geotextile. The limitations of the model tests, the factors affecting the results, and alternative interpretations are discussed.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 120 • Issue 11 • November 1994
Pages: 1917 - 1938
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 15, 1993
Published online: Nov 1, 1994
Published in print: Nov 1994
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