Performance Evaluation of Recycled-Plastic-Pin-Supported Embankment over Soft Soil
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 6
Abstract
This paper investigates the efficacy of recycled-plastic pins (RPPs) for controlling the ground settlement of soft foundation soil. Two field test sections () were constructed over soft soil; one was left unreinforced to use it as a control section, and the other section was reinforced with RPPs. A load transfer platform (LTP), composed of recycled crushed concrete aggregate (RCCA), sandwiched between two geogrid layers, was placed above the RPPs for transferring the load from the embankment onto the RPPs. Vertical pressures, settlements, and pore water pressures were monitored. After 260 days, a maximum settlement of 52 mm was observed for the control section, whereas for the reinforced section, it was 23 mm. Excess pore pressure dissipated faster in the control section. The measured data indicated that the RPPs supported a significant percentage of the embankment load. The in-situ measurements have proven the effectiveness of RPPs in combination with LTP in reducing settlement. The present method can be applied for any embankment construction over soft soil, bridge approaches, and widening of a highway where the foundation soil is unsuitable for regular construction.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to express their gratitude for the funding and support provided by the Texas Department of Transportation that made this research possible. The authors would like to thank the City of Irving Landfill, Texas, for providing site location and helping throughout the installation process.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 147 • Issue 6 • June 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 18, 2020
Accepted: Feb 2, 2021
Published online: Mar 25, 2021
Published in print: Jun 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Aug 25, 2021
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