AN ASSESSMENT OF DESIGN METHODS FOR PILED EMBANKMENTS

There is considerable uncertainty among design engineers about the behaviour of piled embankments, and the applicability of the British Standard BS8006 (1995) for strengthened/reinforced soils. This paper presents a study to understand the behaviour of piled embankments better by comparing existing design methods with results from three-dimensional numerical analyses. Two UK case histories were investigated. The A13 piled embankments had relatively heavy reinforcement, and were built on areas of made ground, alluvium and peat over gravel. The Second Severn Crossing trial embankment used minimal reinforcement, and was over soft clays and peat. The design of piled embankments includes the calculation of: (1) the proportion of the vertical load carried by the reinforcement, due to soil arching onto the piles; (2) the tension generated in the reinforcement, due to the proportion of the vertical loading not carried directly; and (3) the tension force generated in the reinforcement, due to the embankment's tendency to spread laterally. Several three-dimensional finite difference analyses were performed by the FLAC program, and two methods of embankment construction were modelled. Some of the analysis results are displayed in bar charts and graphs. Some implications of the results are discussed.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00174653
• Corporate Authors:

  EMAP CONSTRUCT LIMITED

  151 ROSEBERY AVENUE
  LONDON,   United Kingdom  EC1R 4QX
• Authors:
  • RUSSELL, D
  • PIERPOINT, N
• Publication Date: 1997-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 39-44
• Serial:
  • GROUND ENGINEERING
  • Volume: 30
  • Issue Number: 10
  • Publisher: EMAP CONSTRUCT LIMITED
  • ISSN: 0017-4653

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Charts; Computer programs; Design; Embankments; Finite differences; Loads; Material reinforcement; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Methodology; Reinforcing materials; Soils; Standards; Support piles; Tension
• ITRD Terms: 6471: Analysis (math); 9001: Behaviour; 6486: Chart; 9011: Design (overall design); 2801: Embankment; 6460: Finite difference method; 5567: Load; 9102: Method; 3399: Pile; 3471: Reinforcement (in mater); 8645: Software; 4156: Soil; 187: Specification (standard); 5502: Tension; 9080: Three dimensional
• Subject Areas: Design; Geotechnology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00746936
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Apr 17 1998 12:00AM