Numerical analysis of geosynthetic-reinforced embankment performance under moving loads

The performance of geosynthetic-reinforced embankments under traffic moving loads is always a hotspot in the geotechnical engineering field.A three-dimensional(3D)model of a geosynthetic-reinforced embankment without drainage consolidation was established using the finite element software ABAQUS.In this model,the traffic loads were simulated by two moving loads of rectangular pattern,and their amplitude,range,and moving speed were realized by a Fortran subroutine.The embankment fill was simulated by an equivalent linear viscoelastic model,which can reflect its viscoelasticity.The geogrid was simulated by the truss element,and the geocell was simulated by the membrane element.Infinite elements were utilized to weaken the boundary effect caused by the model geometry at the boundaries.Validation of the established numerical model was conducted by comparing the predicted deformations in the cross-section of the geosynthetic-reinforced embankment with those from the existing literature.On this basis,the dynamic stress and strain distribution in the pavement structure layer of the geosynthetic-reinforced embankment under a moving load was also analyzed.Finally,a parametric study was conducted to examine the influences of the different types of reinforcement,overload,and the moving load velocity on the geosynthetic-reinforced embankment.

Behaviors of pile-supported embankments in highway engineering

Based on the variational approach for pile groups embedded in soil modeled using a load-transfer curve method, a practical method was conducted to estimate the settlement of symmetric pile group supported embankments. The working mechanism of composite foundations improved by rigid or semi-rigid columns is analyzed by this method. Under equivalent strain conditions, the pile-soil stress ratio approaches the pile-soil modulus ratio up to a limited value of pile stiffness （Rm〈10）; in the subsequent stages of high pile stiffness （Rm〉10）, a further increase in the pile-soil modulus ratio cannot lead to a significant increase of stress transferred to the columns in composite foundations. The major influencing factor of the stress concentration from soil to pile in a high pile-soil modulus ratio is the padding stiffness. For the composite foundation improved by cement mixing columns, the effective column length is about 15 to 20 m and it is a more economical and effective design when the column length is less than 15 m.

Performance of fixed geosynthetic technique of GRPS embankment

Geosynthetic-reinforced and pile-supported （GRPS） embankment has been increasingly constructed in a large number of regions and for a wide range of projects in the past decades. However, many disadvantages are exposed through a lot of applications on conventional technique of GRPS embankment （called CT embankment）, i.e., intolerable settlement and lateral displacement, low geosynthetic efficiency, etc. In view of these disadvantages, the fixed geosynthetic technique of GRPS embankment （called FGT embankment） is developed in this work. In this system, the geosynthetic is fixed on the pile head by the steel bar fulcrum and concrete fixed top. The principles and construction techniques involved in the FGT embankment are described firstly. Then, the numerical analysis method and two-stage analysis method are used to study the performance of FGT embankment, respectively. It is shown that the FGT embankment can provide a better improvement technique to construct a high embankment over soft ground.

A semi-analytical method for the analysis of pile-supported embankments

In this paper,a semi-analytical method for the analysis of pile-supported embankments is proposed.The mathematic model describes the cooperative behavior of pile,pile cap,foundation soil,and embankment fills.Based on Terzaghi's 1D consolidation theory of saturated soil,the consolidation of foundation soil is calculated.The embankments with two different types of piles:floating piles and end-bearing piles are investigated and discussed.The results of axial force and skin friction distributions along the pile and the settlements of pile-supported embankments are presented.It is found that it takes a longer time for soil consolidation in the embankment with floating piles,compared with the case using end-bearing piles.The differential settlement between the pile and surrounding soil at the pile top is larger for the embankment with end-bearing piles,compared with the case of floating piles.

Review of research on high-speed railway subgrade settlement in soft soil area

Construction issues of high-speed rail infrastructures have been increasingly concerned worldwide,of which the subgrade settlement in soft soil area becomes a particularly critical problem.Due to the high compressibility and low permeability of soft soil,the post-construction settlement of the subgrade is extremely difficult to control in these regions,which seriously threatens the operation safety of high-speed trains.In this work,the significant issues of high-speed railway subgrades in soft soil regions are discussed.The theoretical and experimental studies on foundation treatment methods for ballasted and ballastless tracks are reviewed.The settlement evolution and the settlement control effect of different treatment methods are highlighted.Control technologies of subgrade differential settlement are subsequently briefly presented.Settlement calculation algorithms of foundations reinforced by different treatment methods are discussed in detail.The defects of existing prediction methods and the challenges faced in their practical applications are analyzed.Furthermore,the guidance on future improvement in control theories and technologies of subgrade settlement for high-speed railway lines and the corresponding challenges are provided.

Field study of plastic tube cast-in-place concrete pile

The compositions, technical principles and construction equipments of a new piling method used for ground improvement plastic tube cast-in-place concrete pile were introduced. The results from static load tests on single piles with different forms of pile shoes and on their composite foundations were analyzed. The distribution patterns of axial force, shaft friction and toe resistance were studied based on the measurements taken from buried strain gauges. From the point of engineering application, the pile has merits in convenient quality control, high bearing capacity and reliable quality, showing higher reasonability, advancement and suitability than other ground improvement methods. The pile can be adopted properly to take place of ordinary ground improvement method, achieving greater economical and social benefits.