Abstract
In order to reduce the effects of the low strength and high compressibility of soft soil, geosynthetic-reinforced pile foundations (GRPF) are widely applied for the construction of high-speed railways. Though its reinforcement effect is proved acceptable in practices so far, it is unclear whether it will keep this performance as the train speed continues increasing. Since it is impossible to study the problem in field tests, only mathematical and physical models can be used. However, the nonlinear behaviour of the soft soil complicates the use of analytical models. Therefore, this paper presents a small-scale model test to study the possible changes in stress distribution and deformation in the GRPF under increasing dynamic loads. One test with a natural foundation, without piles or geosynthetic, shows the difference with a similar construction with GRPF foundation. Furthermore, three GRPF tests show the influence of the embankment thickness. The results show the long-term dynamic loading significantly affects the dynamic stress and displacements of the subsoil between the piles of the GRPF. This effect can be divided into three stages with an increasing level of load amplitude: no impact, advantageous impact, and adverse impact. When the dynamic load reaches the adverse impact stage, the long-term dynamic loads reduce the dynamic pile–soil stress ratio, which means that more soil settlement will develop, because more dynamic stress is applied to the soft soil. The test results show that the reduction in dynamic stress on the subsoil in the GRPF construction is clearly lower than the dynamic stress on the natural foundation, due to the existence of rigid piles. Moreover, a thicker embankment gives significantly lower dynamic stresses on the subsoil between the piles. For the thickest embankment tested, the adverse impact stage was not found at all: the arching kept enhancing under long-term dynamic loading with high load amplitudes.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abu-Farsakh MY, Chen Q (2011) Evaluation of geogrid base reinforcement in flexible pavement using cyclic plate load testing. Int J Pavement Eng 12(3):275–288
Abu-Farsakh MY, Hanandeh S, Mohammad L, Chen Q (2016) Performance of geosynthetic reinforced/stabilized paved roads built over soft soil under cyclic plate loads. Geotext Geomembr 44(6):845–853
Abusharar SW, Zheng JJ, Chen BG, Yin JH (2009) A simplified method for analysis of a piled embankment reinforced with geosynthetics. Geotext Geomembr 27(1):39–52
Almeida MSS, Ehrlich M, Spotti AP, Marques MES (2007) Embankment supported on piles with biaxial geogrids. Geotech Eng 160(4):185–192
Almeida MSS, Marques MES, Almeida MCF, Mendonca MB (2008) Performance on two low piled embankments with geogrids at Rio de Janeiro. In: Proceedings of the First Pan American Geosynthetics Conference and Exhibition, Cancun, Mexico, pp 1285–1295
Bhandari A, Han J (2010) Investigation of geotextiles-soil interaction under a cyclic vertical load using the discrete element method. Geotext Geomembr 28(1):33–43
Bhandari A, Han J, Parsons RL (2015) Two-dimensional DEM analysis of behavior of geogrid-reinforced uniform granular bases under a vertical cyclic load. Acta Geotech 10(4):469–480
Bhasi A, Rajagopal K (2015) Geosynthetic-reinforced piled embankments: comparison of numerical and analytical methods. Int J Geomech 15(5):04014074
Borges JL, Marques DO (2011) Geosynthetic-reinforced and jet grout column-supported embankments on soft soils Numerical analysis and parametric study. Comput Geotech 38(7):883–896
Boulanger RW, Idriss IM (2007) Evaluation of cyclic softening in silts and clays. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 133:641–652
Briançon L, Simon B (2011) Performance of pile-supported embankment over soft soil: full-scale experiment. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 138(4):551–561
Briançon L, Simon B (2017) Pile-supported embankment over soft soil for a high-speed line. Geosynth Intl 24(3):293–305
British Standards Institution (2014) Code of practice for strengthened/reinforced soils and other fills. London: BS 8006 Publication, vol 1, pp 179–191
Chen RP, Chen YM, Han J, Xu ZZ (2008) A theoretical solution for pile-supported embankments on soft soils under one-dimensional compression. Can Geotech J 45(5):611–623
Chen RP, Wang YW, Ye XW, Bian XC, Dong XP (2016) Tensile force of geogrids embedded in pilesupported reinforced embankment: a full-scale experimental study. Geotext Geomembr 44(2):157–169
Chen RP, Xu ZZ, Chen YM, Ling DS, Zhu B (2010) Field tests on pile-supported embankments over soft ground. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 136(6):777–785
Chen YM, Cao WP, Chen RP (2008) An experimental investigation of soil arching within basal reinforced and unreinforced piled embankments. Geotext Geomembr 26(2):164–174
Chew SH et al. (2006). Geosynthetic reinforced piled embankment Large-scale model tests and numerical modelling. In: Proceedings of the 8th international conference on geosynthetics, Millpress Science, Rotterdam, pp. 901–904
Demerdash MA (1996) An experimental study of piled embankments incorporating geosynthetic basal reinforcement. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle
El-Emam MM, Bathurst RJ (2004) Experimental design, instrumentation and interpretation of reinforced soil wall response using a shaking table. Intl J Phys Modell Geotech 4(4):13–32
Fagundes DF, Almeida MS, Thorel L, Blanc M (2017) Load transfer mechanism and deformation of reinforced piled embankments. Geotext Geomembr 45(2):1–10
Filz GM, Smith ME, (2006) Design of bridging layers in geosynthetic-reinforced column-supported embankments. Report Prepared for Virginia Department of Transport. Virginia, U.S.A., Richmond, pp 48
Fluet JE, Christopher BR, Slaters AR (1986) Geosynthetic stress-strain response under embankment loading conditions. In: Proceedings of the 3rd international conference on geotextiles, Austrian Association of Engineers and Architects, Vienna, Austria, vol 1, pp 175–180
German Geotechnical Society (2011) Recommendations for design and analysis of earth structures using geosynthetic reinforcements—second edition (EBGEO). Emst & Sohn, Berlin
Girout R, Blanc M, Thorel L, Dias D (2018) Geosynthetic reinforcement of pile-supported embankments. Geosynth Intl 25(1):37–49
Gu M, Han J, Zhao M (2017) Three-dimensional DEM analysis of single geogrid-encased stone columns under unconfined compression: a parametric study. Acta Geotech 12:559–572
Han G, Gong Q, Zhou S (2014) Experimental study of soil arching effect in geogrid reinforced pile. Rock Soil Mech 35(06):1600–1606 (in Chinese)
Han J, Bhandari A, Wang F (2012) DEM analysis of stresses and deformations of geogrid-reinforced embankments over piles. Int J Geomech 12(4):340–350
Han J, Gabr MA (2002) Numerical Analysis of Geosynthetic-Reinforced and Pile-Supported Earth Platforms over Soft Soil. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 128(1):44–53
Heitz C (2006) Bodengewölbe unter ruhender und nichtruhender Belastung bei Berücksichtigung von Bewehrungseinlagen aus Geogittern. Schriftenreihe Geotechnik, Uni Kassel, Heft 19, November 2006 (in German)
Heitz C, Kempfert HG (2007) Geosynthetic-reinforced and pile-supported earth structures under static and cyclic loading. Bauingenieur 82:380–387
Hewlett WJ, Randolph MF, Aust MIE (1988) Analysis of piled embankments. Ground Eng 22(3):12–18
Hong WP, Lee JH, Lee KW (2007) Load transfer by soil arching in pile-supported embankments. Soils Found 47(5):833–843
Iai S (1989) Similitude for shaking table tests on soil-structure-fluid model in 1 g gravitational field. Soils Found 29:105–118
Jenck O, Dias D, Kastner R (2007) Two-dimensional physical and numerical modelling of a pile-supported earth platform over soft soil. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 133(3):295–305
Jenck O, Dias D, Kastner R (2009) Discrete element modelling of a granular platform supported by piles in soft soil—Validation on a small scale model test and comparison to a numerical analysis in a continuum. Comput Geotech 36:917–927
Jones BM, Plaut RH, Filz GM (2010) Analysis of geosynthetic reinforcement in pile supported embankments. Part I: 3D plate model. Geosynth Int 17(2):59–67
Jones CJFP, Lawson CR, Ayres DJ (1990) Geotextile reinforced piled embankments. In: Hoedt D (ed) Geotextiles geomembranes, products related. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 155–160.
Kempfert HG, Göbel C, Alexiew D, Heitz C (2004) German recommendations for reinforced embankments on pile-similar elements. In: Proceedings of EuroGeo 3, Munich, pp 279–284
Lai HJ, Zheng JJ, Zhang J, Zhang RJ, Cui L (2014) DEM analysis of “soil”-arching within geogrid-reinforced and unreinforced pile-supported embankments. Comput Geotech 61:13–23
Liu HL, Ng CWW, Fei K (2007) Performance of a Geogrid-Reinforced and Pile-Supported Highway Embankment over Soft Clay: case Study. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 133(12):1483–1493
Low BK, Tang SK, Choa V (1994) Arching in Piled Embankments. J Geotech Eng 120(11):1917–1938
Makris N, Gazetas G (1991) Dynamic pile-soil-pile interaction: part I: Analysis of axial vibration. Earthq Eng Struct Dyn 20(2):115–132
McGuire M, Sloan J, Collin J, Filz G (2012) Critical height of column-supported embankments from bench-scale and field-scale tests. In: ISSMGE - TC 211 International Symposium on Ground Improvement IS-GI Brussels
Meymand P (1998) Shaking table scale model tests of nonlinear soil pile-superstructure interaction in soft clay. PhD thesis, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
Miller GA, The SY, Li D et al (2000) Cyclic shear strength of soft railroad subgrade. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 126(2):139–147
Naughton PJ (2007) The significance of critical height in the design of piled embankments. Soil Improvement, GSP 172, (on CD-ROM), ASCE, Reston, Virginia
Nunez MA, Briançon L, Dias D (2013) Analyses of a pile-supported embankment over soft clay: full-scale experiment, analytical and numerical approaches. Eng Geol 153:53–67
Oh YI, Shin EC (2007) Reinforcement and arching effect of geogrid-reinforced and pile-supported embankment on marine soft ground. Mar Georesour Geotechnol 25(2):97–118
Oliveira PJV, Pinheiro JLP, Correia AAS (2011) Numerical analysis of an embankment built on soft soil reinforced with deep mixing columns: parametric study. Comput Geotech 38(4):566–576
Rui R, Han J, Van Eekelen SJM, Wan Y (2019) Experimental investigation of soil-arching development in unreinforced and geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankments. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 145(1):04018103
Sedran G, Stolle D, Horvath RG (2001) An investigation of scaling and dimensional analysis of axially loaded piles. Can Geotech J 38:530–541
Shen SL, Wu HN, Cui YJ, Yin ZY (2014) Long-term settlement behaviour of metro tunnels in the soft deposits of Shanghai. Tunn Undergr Space Technol Inc Trench Technol Res 40:309–323
Tobita T, Iai S, Der Tann LV (2011) Application of the generalized scaling law to saturated ground. Int J Phys Model Geotech 11:138–155
Van Eekelen SJM, Bezuijen A, Lodder HJ, Tol AFV (2012) Model experiments on piled embankments. Part I. Geotext Geomembr 32(1):69–81
Van Eekelen SJM, Bezuijen A, van Tol AF (2013) An analytical model for arching in piled embankments. Geotext Geomembr 39:78–102
Van Eekelen SJM, Venmans AAM, Bezuijen A, Van Tol AF (2017) Long term measurements in the Woerden geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankment. Geosynth Int. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgein.17.00022
Van Eekelen SJM, Bezuijen A, Van Tol AF (2015) Validation of analytical models for the design of basal reinforced piled embankments. Geotext Geomembr 43(1):56–81
Venkateswarlu H, Ujjawal KN, Hegde A (2018) Laboratory and numerical investigation of machine foundations reinforced with geogrids and geocells. Geotext Geomembr 46(6):882–896
Wachman GS, Biolzi L, Labuz JF (2010) Structural behavior of a pile-supported embankment. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 136(1):26–34
Wang C, Wang B, Guo P, Zhou S (2014) Experimental analysis on settlement controlling of geogrid-reinforced pile-raft-supported embankments in high-speed railway. Acta Geotech 15(9):231–242
Xiao H (2004) Study on column-net structure embankments of ballastless track in high speed railway. Ph.D. Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu China (in Chinese)
Xing H, Zhen Zhang Z, Liu H, Wei H (2014) Large-scale tests of pile-supported earth platform with and without geogrid. Geotext Geomembr 42(6):586–598
Ye Y, Zhang Q, Cai D, Chen F (2010) On static and dynamic load transfer peculiarity of low embankment for high speed railway pile-net composite foundation. High Speed Railw Technol 1(1):10–15
Yoo C, Kim SB (2009) Numerical modeling of geosynthetic-encased stone column-reinforced ground. Geosynthet Int 16(3):116–126
Zaeske D (2001) Zur Wirkungsweise von unbewehrten und bewehrten mineralischen Tragschichten über pfahlartigen Gründungselementen. Schriftenreihe Geotechnik, Uni Kassel, Heft 10, February 2001 (in German)
Zhang C, Jiang G, Yuan S, Wang W (2014) Dynamic response analysis of column-net structure subgrade and reinforced cushion under cyclic loading. Rock Soil Mech 35(06):1664–1670 (in Chinese)
Zhang J, Zheng JJ, Zhao DJ, Chen SG (2016) Field study on performance of new technique of geosynthetic-reinforced and pile-supported embankment at bridge. Sci China Technol Sci 59(1):162–174
Zhang Z, Wang M, Ye GB, Han J (2019) A novel 2D-3D conversion method for calculating maximum strain of geosynthetic reinforcement in pile-supported embankments. Geotext Geomembr. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2019.01.011
Zhuang Y, Wang K (2018) Finite element analysis on the dynamic behavior of soil arching effect in piled embankment. Transp Geotech 14:8–21
Acknowledgements
This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41572285).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tang, Y., Xiao, S. & Yang, Q. The behaviour of geosynthetic-reinforced pile foundation under long-term dynamic loads: model tests. Acta Geotech. 15, 2205–2225 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-019-00890-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-019-00890-y