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A Three-Dimensional Discrete Element Modeling to Cyclic Response of Geosynthetic-Encased Stone Column

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Abstract

A three-dimensional discrete element modeling of cyclic behavior of geosynthetic-encased stone column (GESC) has been recently conducted to better understand the interaction between geosynthetic encasement and stone aggregates on a microscopic scale. Comparisons between numerical results and laboratory observations indicate a good accuracy of the modeling. Different responses of GESC like deformation characteristics (e.g., axial compression and radial expansion), stress state (e.g., stress and lateral pressure coefficient within the column) are monitored during the simulations for understanding the mechanics of the reinforcement mechanism. To decipher the mechanism of the macro behavior under cyclic loading, the variation of property parameters of stone aggregates on a micro-scale (i.e., porosity and coordination number) within four stages of a loading cycle has been investigated. The stiffness of GESC is found to be prominently improved under cyclic loading as a result of the densification of stone aggregates and increased confinement provided by the geosynthetic encasement.

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Data availability statement

Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This research was sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC Nos. 51978255 and 52078205), the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (No. 2020JJ3013), the Postgraduate Scientific Research Innovation Project of Hunan Province, China (No. QL20210108), and the Basal Research Fund Support by Hunan University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China

    Ling Zhang, Zeyu Xu, Heng Zhao & Shuai Zhou

  2. Key Laboratory of Building Safety and Energy Efficiency of the Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China

    Ling Zhang, Zeyu Xu, Heng Zhao & Shuai Zhou

  3. National Center for International Research Collaboration in Building Safety and Environment, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China

    Ling Zhang, Zeyu Xu, Heng Zhao & Shuai Zhou

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  1. Ling Zhang
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  2. Zeyu Xu
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  3. Heng Zhao
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  4. Shuai Zhou
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Contributions

LZ: conceptualization, methodology, and writing—review and editing. ZX: methodology and writing—original draft. HZ: formal analysis and writing—review and editing. SZ: formal analysis and writing—review and editing.

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Correspondence to Zeyu Xu.

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Zhang, L., Xu, Z., Zhao, H. et al. A Three-Dimensional Discrete Element Modeling to Cyclic Response of Geosynthetic-Encased Stone Column. Int. J. of Geosynth. and Ground Eng. 7, 75 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40891-021-00319-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40891-021-00319-1

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