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Performance of embankments with rigid columns embedded in an inclined underlying stratum: centrifuge and numerical modelling

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Abstract

Rigid columns penetrating a firm underlying stratum have often been used to enhance the stability and improve the settlement of embankments over soft ground. Furthermore, an inclined underlying stratum is commonly encountered in engineering practice. This investigation experimentally and numerically studies the performance of embankments over soft ground reinforced by rigid columns with various embedment depths. In centrifuge tests, a tilting failure occurs for columns with an embedment depth Le of 2D (D is the diameter of columns), whereas the embankments remain stable for Le of 7D. This result indicates that the inclined underlying stratum weakens the restraint effect at the column base and that a greater embedment depth is required to ensure the stability of embankments. Parametric studies numerically reveal that there exists a critical embedment depth, which represents a shift in the failure mechanism. The optimum column layout is determined based on the contributions of columns in different locations beneath an embankment. Finally, the influence of the embedment depth on the distribution of the bending moment of the columns and the soil reaction are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51708405  and 41630641), the National Key RD Program of China (Grant No. 2017YFC0805407), and the Project of Tianjin Science and Technology Plan (No. 16YDLJSF00040). The authors thank Professor Jinchun Chai at Saga University for his assistance with this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China

    Haizuo Zhou, Gang Zheng, Jifu Liu, Xiaoxuan Yu, Xinyu Yang & Tianqi Zhang

  2. Key Laboratory of Coast Civil Structure Safety, Tianjin University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300072, China

    Haizuo Zhou, Gang Zheng, Xiaoxuan Yu, Xinyu Yang & Tianqi Zhang

  3. State Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Simulation and Safety, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China

    Haizuo Zhou & Gang Zheng

  4. CRCC Harbour and Channel Engineering Group Co, LTD, Zhuhai, 519000, China

    Jifu Liu

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  1. Haizuo Zhou
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Correspondence to Gang Zheng.

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Zhou, H., Zheng, G., Liu, J. et al. Performance of embankments with rigid columns embedded in an inclined underlying stratum: centrifuge and numerical modelling. Acta Geotech. 14, 1571–1584 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-019-00825-7

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