Structural Behavior of a Pile-Supported Embankment
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 136, Issue 1
Abstract
The stress field in a pile-supported 3.9-m-high embankment was interpreted through three-dimensional finite-element modeling, and evaluated by field measurements involving strain gauges on the piles and earth pressure cells at the top and bottom of a 0.9-m-thick geogrid-reinforced platform. Analyses of the numerical results and the experimental data suggest that a vaultlike arch developed within the embankment, such that the vertical stress at the top of the platform was concentrated above the piles and virtually no vertical stress was measured between the piles. A similar situation existed within the platform, where an almost stress-free region between the piles was experimentally detected and numerically verified. From a structural point of view, a supporting skeleton was formed from a pile extension through the platform, a type of stress diffusion problem, and an arching effect appeared mainly in the embankment due to the very large stiffness of the piles in comparison to the surrounding media.
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Acknowledgments
Partial support was provided by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Special thanks are extended to the Technical Advisory Panel, especially Richard Lamb, Derrick Dasenbrock, Gary Person, and Glenn Engstrom. This paper represents the results of research conducted by the writers and does not necessarily represent the views of MnDOT. Furthermore, products mentioned in the paper are stated for completeness only, and not as an endorsement.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 136 • Issue 1 • January 2010
Pages: 26 - 34
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Nov 24, 2008
Accepted: Jun 15, 2009
Published online: Jun 20, 2009
Published in print: Jan 2010
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