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Stability Analysis of Colombo–Katunayake Expressway (CKE) Using Finite Element and Limit Equilibrium Methods

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Abstract

Colombo–Katunayake Expressway (CKE) is the second major highway in Sri Lanka connecting the International Airport at Katunayake to Colombo, and this expressway is constructed over soft soils, predominantly peat. A research study was conducted to analyse the stability of two critical sections of the CKE project using finite element method (FEM), limit equilibrium method (LEM) and Matsuo chart. In the FEM, PLAXIS 2D package was used to simulate the behaviour by using four different types of analyses: (1) Mohr–Coulomb (MC) analysis: MC model for all soil layers; (2) MC-SS 1 analysis: soft soil (SS) model for peat and MC model for remaining soil layers; (3) MC-SS 2 analysis: SS model for peat and soft clay layers and MC model for remaining soil layers; and (4) MC-SS-SSC analysis: soft soil creep (SSC) model for peat, SS model for soft clay and MC model for remaining soil layers. Further, LEM analysis was carried out using SLOPE/W and obtained factor of safety (FOS) values were compared with the FEM analysis. In addition, effect of geotextile on the long-term stability was analysed in FEM. Based on the outcome of the FEM analysis, it was noticed that MC-SS 2 model is the best model to predict the actual field condition for soft soil with high overconsolidation ratio values. In addition, FOS values obtained from PLAXIS were in very good agreement with those obtained from SLOPE/W. Incorporation of geotextile improves the stability of the embankment, and the optimum stiffness of the geotextile should be selected for practical applications.

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Abbreviations

BSM:

Bishop simplified method

CKE:

Colombo–Katunayake Expressway

c :

Cohesion

C c :

Compression index

C s :

Swelling index

C α :

Coefficient of secondary consolidation

d :

Vertical settlement at the centre of the embankment

E :

Modulus of elasticity of the soil

e int :

Initial void ratio

JSM:

Janbu simplified method

k :

Permeability of the soil

MC:

Mohr–Coulomb

M-PM:

Morgenstern–Price method

OCR:

Overconsolidation ratio

OM:

Ordinary method

P j :

Applied load in jth stage

P f :

Failure load

SS:

Soft soil

SSC:

Soft soil creep

SSR:

Shear strength reduction

\(\phi\) :

Internal friction angle

δ :

Lateral displacement at the toe of the embankment

γ sat :

Saturated unit weight

ν :

Poisson’s ratio of the soil

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, Sri Lanka

    M. C. M. Nasvi & S. Krishnya

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  1. M. C. M. Nasvi
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  2. S. Krishnya
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Correspondence to M. C. M. Nasvi.

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Nasvi, M.C.M., Krishnya, S. Stability Analysis of Colombo–Katunayake Expressway (CKE) Using Finite Element and Limit Equilibrium Methods. Indian Geotech J 49, 620–634 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-019-00357-7

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