STABILIZATION OF VERY SOFT SOILS USING HIGH STRENGTH GEOSYNTHETICS: THE ROLE OF FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSES

The application of finite element (fe) techniques for the analysis of reinforced embankment behaviour is reviewed. Details such as the choice of finite element and constitutive models as well as the validation of finite element results against benchmark solutions are discussed. Results from the authors' finite element analyses are examined, and it is shown that fe analysis can be particularly useful for identifying the mechanisms of failure and also for indicating why a geosynthetic reinforcing material may substantially improve stability for a certain foundation strength profile whereas for different foundation strength profiles the same reinforcement may give rise to negligible improvements in embankment stability. The use of plasticity solutions for estimating the maximum effect of reinforcement is illustrated. The results of finite element analyses are then used to demonstrate that although the collapse load calculated from plasticity theory can be attained for very highly reinforced embankments, in many situations failure will occur at embankment heights well below the collapse height. It is then demonstrated that the failure height for a reinforced embankment is related to the modulus of the reinforcement but is not very sensitive to the modulus of the soil. The development of strain in the geotextile is examined and it is demonstrated both from field evidence and theoretical analysis that the reinforcement plays a relatively small role at low load levels since the soil is essentially elastic. See also IRRD 818490.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/02661144
• Corporate Authors:

  Elsevier Science Publishers

  Crown House, Linton Road
  Barking, Essex IG11 8JU,   England 
• Authors:
  • Rowe, R K
  • SODERMAN, K L
• Publication Date: 1987

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 53-80
• Serial:
  • Geotextiles and Geomembranes
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue Number: 1-3
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0266-1144

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Deformation; Embankments; Finite element method; Geotextiles; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Slope stability; Soil stabilization
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00486887
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 30 1989 12:00AM