ANALYSIS OF GEOTEXTILE REINFORCED EMBANKMENTS OVER SOFT CLAYS

Construction of embankments over weak ground proves problematical since although soft clays consolidate with time to form a competent foundation, they lack strength in the short term. In consequence an embankment geometry associated with an acceptable long term factor of safety based on the drained strength of the foundation soil often gives rise to an unacceptably low factors of safety in the short term prior to consolidation of the weak soil. To overcome this short term instability expensive expedients are involved such as the use of flat side slopes or stage construction. A recent, and potentially more economic, option is the use of a basal layer of geotextile reinforcement which acts to enhance short term stability and maintain embankment integrity until the foundation soil consolidates sufficiently to support the embankment. This philosophy is expanded and analytical methods are introduced by which the time dependent gain in foundation soil strength is discounted against the time dependent loss of geotextile tensile strength and stiffness. (Author/TRRL)

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  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/02656868
• Corporate Authors:

  INSTITUTION OF HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

  6 ENDSLEIGH STREET
  LONDON,   United Kingdom  WC1H 0DZ
• Authors:
  • INGOLD, T S
• Publication Date: 1986-3

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 3-8
• Serial:
  • HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION
  • Volume: 33
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: INSTITUTION OF HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION
  • ISSN: 0265-6868

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Consolidation; Embankments; Foundation soils; Geotextiles; Material reinforcement; Safety factors; Soft clays; Soils; Stability (Mechanics); Stiffness; Tensile strength
• Uncontrolled Terms: Soil consolidation
• Old TRIS Terms: Embankment stability
• ITRD Terms: 4177: Clay; 5905: Compressibility; 5791: Consolidation (soil); 2937: Drainage; 2801: Embankment; 3377: Foundation; 4568: Geotextile; 3471: Reinforcement (in mater); 5504: Safety coefficient; 5930: Stability; 5931: Stiffness; 5544: Strength (mater); 2930: Subsoil; 5502: Tension; 5414: Time
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00471067
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1987 12:00AM