Simplified Model of Column-Supported Embankment to Account for Nonuniform Deformations of Soils
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 146, Issue 7
Abstract
This paper proposes a theoretical method to analyze the column-supported embankment. The emphasis is on quantifying the nonuniform deformation of the soft soil beneath the embankment by two deformed shape functions, and the functions include the coupling effects of radial and vertical deformation of soils. On this basis, a modified cell model, considering the influence of the relative displacement on the friction, can be further developed to characterize the load transfer behavior of soil arching within the embankment. In addition, the impact of pile-soil interaction on the evolution of soil arching can be considered in this study. A semianalytical solution for the column-supported embankment is obtained by a simple code for convenience in preliminary design. The proposed method is synchronously verified by numerical results and laboratory observations. In the proposed method, the stress ratio and the load sharing ratio, as two significant factors affecting the soil arching, are discussed at length.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. (The data in the graph and the code of calculation, and in other sections.)
Acknowledgments
This research is a part of the work carried out by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51978255).
References
Abusharar, S. W., J. J. Zheng, B. G. Chen, and J. H. Yin. 2009. “A simplified method for analysis of a piled embankment reinforced with geosynthetics.” Geotext. Geomembr. 27 (1): 39–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2008.05.002.
Alamgir, M., N. Miura, H. B. Poorooshasbh, and M. R. Madhav. 1996. “Deformation analysis of soft ground reinforced by columnar inclusions.” Comput. Geotech. 18 (4): 267–290. https://doi.org/10.1016/0266-352X(95)00034-8.
Bhasi, A., and K. Rajagopal. 2015. “Numerical study of basal reinforced embankments supported on floating/end bearing piles considering pile-soil interaction.” Geotext. Geomembr. 43 (6): 524–536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2015.05.003.
Briancon, L., and B. Simon. 2017. “Pile-supported embankment over soft soil for a high-speed line.” Geosynthetics Int. 24 (3): 293–305. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgein.17.00002.
BSI (British Standards Institution). 2000. Code of practice for strengthened reinforced soils and other fills. BS 8006. London: BSI.
Cao, W. Z., J. J. Zheng, J. Zhang, and R. J. Zhang. 2016. “Field test of a geogrid-reinforced and floating pile-supported embankment.” Geosynthetics Int. 23 (5): 348–361. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgein.16.00002.
Carlson, B. O. 1987. Armerad Jord beräjningsprinciper för banker på pålar. Linköping, Sweden: Terranova.
Chen, R. P., Y. M. Chen, J. Han, and Z. Z. Xu. 2008. “A theoretical solution for pile-supported embankments on soft soils under one-dimensional compression.” Can. Geotech. J. 45 (5): 611–623. https://doi.org/10.1139/T08-003.
Chen, R. P., Y. W. Wang, X. W. Ye, X. C. Bian, and X. P. Dong. 2016. “Tensile force of geogrids embedded in pile-supported reinforced embankment: A full-scale experimental study.” Geotext. Geomembr. 44 (2): 157–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2015.08.001.
Chen, R. P., Z. Z. Xu, Y. M. Chen, D. S. Ling, and B. Zhu. 2010. “Field tests on pile-supported embankments over soft ground.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 136 (6): 777–785. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000295.
Collin, J. G. 2004. “Column supported embankment design considerations.” In Proc., 52nd 529 Annual Geotechnical Engineering Conf. Minneapolis: Univ. of Minnesota.
Deb, K., and S. R. Mohapatra. 2013. “Analysis of stone column-supported geosynthetic-reinforced embankments.” Appl. Math. Modell. 37 (5): 2943–2960. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2012.07.002.
EBGEO (Empfehlungen für den Entwurf und die Berechnung von Erdkörpern mit Bewehrungen aus Geokunststoffen). 2010. Recommendations for design and analysis of earth structures using geosynthetic reinforcements. Berlin: German Geotechnical Society.
Gallant, A. P., E. Shatnawi, E. Farouz, and T. Jones. 2018. “A case study of settlement and load transfer at depth beneath column-supported embankments.” In Vol. 296 of Proc., IFCEE 2018: Innovations in Ground Improvement for Soil, Pavement, and Subgrades, edited by A. W. Staedlein, 337–352. Reston, VA: ASCE.
Ghosh, B., B. Fatahi, H. Khabbaz, and A. H. M. Kamruzzaman. 2016. “Analysis of CMC-supported embankments considering soil arching.” In Proc., Geo-China 2016: In Situ and Laboratory Test Methods for Site Characterization, Design, and Quality Control: Geotechnical Special Publication 265, edited by C. Wang, D. Chang, and H. K. Ameen, 286–293. Reston, VA: ASCE.
Girout, R., M. Blanc, and L. Thorel. 2018. “Geosynthetic reinforcement of pile supported embankment.” Geosynthetics Int. 25 (1): 37–49. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgein.17.00032.
Guido, V. A., J. D. Kneuppel, and M. A. Sweeney. 1987. “Plate loading test on geogrid reinforced earth slabs.” In Proc., Geosynthetics, 216–225. New Orleans: Industrial Fabrics Association International.
Hewlett, W. J., and M. F. Randolph. 1988. “Analysis of piled embankments.” Ground Eng. 21 (3): 12–18.
Jamsawang, P., N. Yoobanpot, N. Thanasisathit, P. Voottipruex, and P. Jongpradist. 2016. “Three-dimensional numerical analysis of a DCM column-supported highway embankment.” Comput. Geotech. 72 (Feb): 42–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2015.11.006.
Jones, C. J. F. P., C. R. Lawson, and D. J. Ayres. 1990. “Geotextile-reinforced-piled-embankments.” Proc., 4th Int. Conf. on Geotextiles, Geomembranes and Related Products, 155–160. Rotterdam, Netherlands: A.A. Balkema.
Kempfert, H. G., M. Stadel, and D. Zaeske. 1997. “Design of geosynthetic-reinforced bearing layers over piles.” Bautechnik 74 (12): 818–825.
Lai, H. J., J. J. Zheng, R. J. Zhang, and M. J. Cui. 2018. “Classification and characteristics of soil arching structures in pile-supported embankments.” Comput. Geotech. 98 (Jun): 153–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2018.02.007.
Low, B. K., S. K. Tang, and V. Choa. 1992. “Arching in piled embankments.” J. Geotech. Eng. 120 (11): 1917–1938. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1994)120:11(1917).
Lu, W. H., and L. C. Miao. 2015. “A simplified 2-D evaluation method of the arching effect for geosynthetic-reinforced and pile-supported embankments.” Comput. Geotech. 65 (Apr): 97–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2014.11.014.
Marston, A., and A. O. Anderson. 1913. Vol. 31 of The theory of loads on pipes in ditches: And tests of cement and clay drain tile and sewer pipe. Ames, IA: Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.
McGuire, M. 2011. “Critical height and surface deformation of column-supported embankments.” Ph.D. thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ.
McGuire, M. P., J. A. Sloan, and D. R. VandenBerge. 2018. Innovations in ground improvement for soils, pavements, and subgrades, edited by A. W. Stuedlein, 352–361. Reston, VA: ASCE.
McKelvey, J. A. 1994. “The anatomy of soil arching.” Geotext. Geomembr. 13 (5): 317–329. https://doi.org/10.1016/0266-1144(94)90026-4.
Randolph, M. F., and C. P. Worth. 1978. “Analysis of deformation of vertically loaded piles.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. Geomech. Abstr. 104 (3): 1465–1588.
Rogbeck, Y., S. Gustavsson, I. Sodergren, and D. Lindquist. 1998. “Reinforced piled embankments in Sweden-design aspects.” In Vol. 2 of Proc., 6th Int. Conf. on Geosynthetics, 755–764. Roseville, MN: Industrial Fabrics Association International.
Russell, D., and N. Pierpoint. 1997. “An assessment of design methods for piled embankments.” Ground Eng. 39 (10): 39–40.
Terzaghi, K. 1943. Theoretical soil mechanics. New York: Wiley.
Van Eekelen, S. J. M., A. Bezuijen, and A. F. van Tol. 2013. “An analytical model for arching in piled embankments.” Geotext. Geomembr. 39 (Aug): 78–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2013.07.005.
Van Eekelen, S. J. M., A. A. M. Venmans, A. Bezuijen, and A. F. van Tol. 2017. “Long term measurements in the Woerden geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankment.pdf.” Geosynthetics Int. 25 (1): 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgein.17.00022.
Wang, Z. F., W. C. Cheng, Y. Q. Wang, and J. Q. Du. 2018. “Simple method to predict settlement of composite foundation under embankment.” Int. J. Geomech. 18 (12): 04018158. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001293.
Yapage, N. N. S., D. S. Liyanapathirana, H. G. Poulos, R. B. Kelly, and C. J. Leo. 2015. “Numerical modeling of geotextile-reinforced embankments over deep cement mixed columns incorporating strain-softening behavior of columns.” Int. J. Geomech. 15 (2): 04014047. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000341.
Zhang, C., et al. 2016. “Arching in geogrid-reinforced pile-supported embankments over silty clay of medium compressibility: Field data and analytical solution[J].” Comput. Geotech. 77: 11–25.
Zhang, C. F., M. H. Zhao, S. Zhou, and Z. Y. Xu. 2019. “A theoretical solution for pile-supported embankment with a conical pile-head.” Appl. Sci. 9 (13): 2658. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9132658.
Zhang, C. L., G. L. Jiang, X. F. Liu, and O. Buzzi. 2016. “Arching in geogrid-reinforced pile-supported embankments over silty clay of medium compressibility: Field data and analytical solution.” Comput. Geotech. 77 (Jul): 11–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.03.007.
Zhang, L., S. Zhou, H. Zhao, and Y. Deng. 2018. “Performance of geosynthetic-reinforced and pile-supported embankment with consideration of soil arching.” J. Eng. Mech. 144 (12): 06018005. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0001536.
Zhao, L. S., W. H. Zhou, and K. V. Yuen. 2017. “A simplified axisymmetric model for column supported embankment systems.” Comput. Geotech. 92 (Dec): 96–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2017.07.027.
Zhuang, Y., and K. Y. Wang. 2016. “Finite-element analysis on the effect of subsoil in reinforced piled embankments and comparison with theoretical method predictions.” Int. J. Geomech. 16 (5): 04016011. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000628.
Zhuang, Y., K. Y. Wang, and H. L. Liu. 2014. “A simplified model to analyze the reinforced piled embankments.” Geotext. Geomembr. 42 (2): 154–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2014.01.002.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 146 • Issue 7 • July 2020
Copyright
©2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 11, 2019
Accepted: Jan 22, 2020
Published online: Apr 21, 2020
Published in print: Jul 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Sep 21, 2020
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.