Response of multilayer geosynthetic-reinforced bed resting on soft soil with stone columns

In the present study, a mechanical model has been developed to study the behavior of multilayer geosynthetic-reinforced granular fill over stone column-reinforced soft soil. The granular fill and geosynthetic reinforcement layers have been idealized by Pasternak shear layer and rough elastic membranes, respectively. The Kelvin–Voight model has been used to represent the time-dependent behavior of saturated soft soil. The stone columns are idealized by stiffer springs and assumed to be linearly elastic. The nonlinear behavior of the soft soil and granular fill is considered. The effect of consolidation of soft soil due to inclusion of the stone columns on settlement response has also been included in the model. Plane strain conditions are considered for the loading and reinforced foundation soil system. An iterative finite difference scheme is applied for obtaining the solution and results are presented in nondimensional form. It has been observed that if the soft soil is improved with stone columns, the multilayer reinforcement system is less effective as compared to single layer reinforcement to reduce the total settlement as there is considerable reduction in the total settlement due to stone column itself. Multilayer reinforcement system is effective for reducing the total settlement when stone columns are not used. However, multilayer reinforcement system is effective to transfer the stress from soil to stone column. The differential settlement is also slightly reduced due to application of multiple geosynthetic layers as compared to the single layer reinforcement system.     

Modeling of granular bed‐stone column‐improved soft soil

The present study pertains to the development of a mechanical model for predicting the behavior of granular bed‐stone column‐reinforced soft ground. The granular layer that has been placed over the stone column‐reinforced soft soil has been idealized by the Pasternak shear layer. The saturated soft soil has been idealized by the Kelvin–Voigt model to represent its time‐dependent behavior and the stone columns are idealized by stiffer Winkler springs. The nonlinear behavior of the granular fill has been incorporated in this study by assuming a hyperbolic variation of shear stress with shear strain as in one reported literature. Similarly, for soft soil it has also been assumed that load‐settlement variation is hyperbolic in nature. The effect of consolidation of the soft soil due to inclusion of the stone columns has also been included in the model. Plane‐strain conditions are considered for the loading and foundation soil system. The numerical solutions are obtained by a finite difference scheme and the results are presented in a non‐dimensional form. Parametric studies for a uniformly loaded strip footing have been carried out to show the effects of various parameters on the total as well as differential settlement and stress concentration ratio. It has been observed that the presence of granular bed on the top of the stone columns helps to transfer stress from soil to stone columns and reduces maximum as well as differential settlement. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical Analysis of Multi Layer Geosynthetic-Reinforced Granular Bed over Soft Fill

In this paper, considering the plain strain conditions, a numerical study has been conducted to investigate the behavior of multi layer geosynthetic-reinforced granular bed overlying a soft soil using the Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua (FLAC) program. The granular fill, soft soil, and geosynthetic reinforcements are considered as linear elastic materials. The geosynthetic reinforcements are modeled as cable elements fully bonded with the surrounding soil, thus neglecting any slip. The results obtained from the present investigation showed very close agreement when compared with the results of finite element analysis and lumped parameter modeling. The distribution of vertical, lateral and shear stresses in the soil are greatly affected as the number of reinforcement layers is increased. If the tensile stiffness of geosynthetic layers increases and its value is no more than 4,000–5,000 kN/m, the settlement of the reinforced foundation decreases significantly. The reduction in settlement is insignificant when the tensile strength of the geosynthetics exceed the above value.     

Nonlinear analysis of footings on granular bed–stone column improved soft soil

In this paper, a model for the analysis of footings having finite flexural rigidity resting on a granular bed on top of stone columns improved saturated soft (clayey) soil has been proposed. Soft soil has been modeled as a Kelvin–Voigt body to represent its time dependent behavior. Pasternak shear layer has been used to represent the granular layer and the stone columns have been idealized by means of nonlinear Winkler springs. Nonlinear behavior of granular fill, soft soil and stone columns has been invoked by means of hyperbolic constitutive relationships. Governing differential equations for the soil–foundation system have been obtained and finite difference method has been adopted for solving these, using the Gauss-elimination iterative scheme. Detailed parametric study for a combined footing has been carried out to study the influence of parameters, like magnitude of applied load, flexural rigidity of footing, diameter of stone column, spacing of stone column, ultimate bearing capacity of granular fill, poor foundation soil and stone column, relative stiffness of stone columns and degree of consolidation, on flexural response of the footing.     

Nonlinear analysis of multilayer extensible geosynthetic-reinforced granular bed on soft soil

The paper presents a model for the analysis of granular foundation beds reinforced with several geosynthetic layers. Such reinforced granular beds are often placed on soft soil strata for an efficient and economical transfer of superstructure load. The granular bed is modeled by the Pasternak shear layer and the geosynthetic reinforcement layers by stretched rough elastic membranes. The soft soil is represented by a series of nonlinear springs. The reinforcement has been considered to be extensible and it is assumed that the deformation at the interface of the reinforcements and soil are same. The nonlinear behavior of the granular bed and the soft soil is considered. Plane strain conditions are considered for the loading and reinforced foundation soil system. An iterative finite difference scheme is applied for obtaining the solution and results are presented in nondimensional form. The results from the proposed model are compared to the results obtained for multilayer inextensible geosynthetic reinforcement system. Significant reduction in the settlement has been observed when the number of reinforcement layer is increased. In case of inextensible reinforcements as the number of reinforcement layer is increased the settlement is decreased with a decreasing rate, but in case of extensible reinforcement the reduction rate is almost constant. Nonlinear behavior of the soft soil decreases as number of reinforcement layer is increased. The effect of the stiffness of the geosynthetic layer on the settlement response becomes insignificant for multilayer reinforced system, but the mobilized tension in the reinforcement layers increases as the stiffness of the geosynthetic layers increases.     

Computational simulation of time-dependent behavior of soil–structure interaction by using a novel creep model: Application to a geosynthetic-reinforced soil physical model

In this paper, a model geosynthetic-reinforced soil retaining walls (GRS-RW) is tested by vertically loading it through a rough footing on the top near the retaining wall and the results are simulated by a sophisticated nonlinear Finite Element Method (FEM) having a novel rate dependent constitutive model for both the backfill material and the geosynthetic reinforcement. Usually, polymer geosynthetic reinforcement is known to exhibit more-or-less rate-dependent stress–strain or load–strain behavior due to their viscous properties. The geomaterials (i.e., clay, sand, gravel and soft rock) also exhibit viscous properties. The viscous behavior of geometrials are quite different from that of the polymer based geosynthetic-reinforcements. It has been revealed recently that viscous behavior of sand is a kind of temporary effect, which vanishes with time. So the rate-dependent deformation of backfill reinforced with polymer geosynthetic reinforcement becomes highly complicated due to interactions between the elasto-viscoplastic properties of backfill and reinforcement. In the present study, a scaled model geosynthetic-reinforced soil retaining wall is tested with a vertically loaded rough rigid footing. The results of the model test are simulated by using an appropriate elasto-viscoplastic constitutive model of both sand and geogrid embedded in a nonlinear plane strain FEM.     

Modeling of Stone Column-Supported Embankment Under Axi-Symmetric Condition

In the present work, a simplified model has been developed to study the behavior of stone column-supported embankment under axi-symmetric loading condition. The rate of consolidation of stone column-reinforced soft ground under axi-symmetric condition has also been presented in the paper. Mechanical model elements such as Pasternak shear layer, spring–dashpot system are used to model the different components such as granular layer, soft soil, stone columns etc. The governing differential equations are solved by finite difference technique. Parametric study has also been carried out to show the effect of different model variables on the settlement, stress concentration ratio of the foundation system. It is observed that for lower diameter ratio, at a particular time, the degree of consolidation predicted by the present method for axi-symmetric loading condition is almost same or lower than the degree of consolidation obtained by unit cell approach, but as the diameter ratio increases present analysis predicts higher degree of consolidation as compared to the unit cell approach. The maximum settlement decreases as the modular ratio increases and beyond the modular ratio value 30, the reduction rate of settlement decreases.     

A STUDY ON A NEW MECHANICAL MODEL FOR FOUNDATIONS AND ITS ELASTIC SETTLEMENT RESPONSE

In the present paper, a new foundation model has been proposed by introducing a stretched rough elastic membrane in the Pasternak shear layer sandwiched between two spring layers which is an extension of Kerr model. Considering the equilibrium of different elements, the equations governing the elastic settlement response of the model are derived. Finite difference scheme has been employed to solve the governing equations. The parametric studies carried out show the effect of several parameters on the elastic settlement response of the model. The proposed model is well suited for idealizing the behavior of geosynthetic-reinforced granular fill—soft soil system besides other applications.     

A generalized model for geosynthetic reinforced railway tracks resting on soft clays

The present study pertains to the development of a foundation model for predicting the behavior of geosynthetic reinforcement railway track system rested on soft clay subgrade. The ballast and sub‐ballast layers have been idealized by Pasternak shear layer. The geosynthetic layer is represented by a stretched rough elastic membrane. Burger model has been used to characterize the soft clay subgrade. Numerical solutions have been obtained by adopting the finite difference scheme combined with non‐dimensioning the governing equations of the proposed model. The results confirm that the present model is quite capable of predicting the time‐dependent settlement response of geosynthetic reinforcement railway track system placed on soft clay subgrade. The surface settlement profile and mobilized tensile load of geosynthetics has been evaluated by considering variation in the wheel load, sleeper width, thickness of ballast and sub‐ballast layers and shear modulus of ballast and sub‐ballast layers. It has been observed that an increase in the sleeper width by 24% results in the reduction in central settlement and mobilized tensile load by 6.5% and 20.1%, respectively. It was found that with a 50% increase in the thickness of the ballast layer, the central settlement has decreased by 7.3% and the mobilized tension at the zone of maximum curvature has increased by 24.6%. However, with an increase in the thickness of the sub‐ballast layer, a considerable reduction in both central settlement and the mobilization of tension on geosynthetic has been noticed. The pattern of variation of settlement and mobilized tension for an increase in the shear modulus of ballast and sub‐ballast material was found to be almost similar. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improvement of soft clay using installation of geosynthetic-encased stone columns: numerical study

The use of geosynthetic-encased stone columns as a method for soft soil treatment is extensively used to increase the bearing capacity and reduce the settlement of raft foundations and the foundation of structures like embankments. Pre-strain is an effect occurring in the encasement during stone column installation due to the compaction of the stone material. The present study uses the finite element program Plaxis to perform a numerical analysis of the soft clay bed reinforced by geosynthetic-encased stone columns. An idealization is proposed for simulation of installation of geosynthetic-encased stone columns in soft clay based on the unit-cell concept. In the analyses, initially, the validity of the analysis of the single column-reinforced soil in the unit-cell model was performed through comparison with the group columns. Then, by considering a unit-cell model, the finite element analyses were carried out to evaluate the stiffness of the reinforced ground to estimate the settlement. The results of the analyses show that the improved stiffness of the encased stone column is not only due to the confining pressure offered by the geosynthetic after loading, but the initial strain of the geosynthetic that occurred during installation also contributes to the enhancement of the stiffness of the stone column and the reduction of the settlement.     

土工布加筋基础的沉降和土工布拉力

给出解土工布加筋基础非线性模型方程组的差分选代格式。讨论了夹有土工布的砂层的荷载传递和模型参数对加筋基础的沉降及土工布拉力的影响。     

竖向荷载下加筋碎石桩复合地基数值分析

采用三维有限元程序建立了一长为6 m、直径为0.8 m的加筋碎石桩复合地基流固耦合数值模型,分析了其在堆载和孔压消散过程中的荷载传递和变形特性。较传统碎石桩,加筋碎石桩复合地基桩土应力比显著增大,超孔压、沉降和桩身侧向变形显著减小,且随筋材刚度的增大,其性能进一步改善。加筋碎石桩复合地基在桩间土固结过程中产生明显的桩土差异沉降,形成土拱效应,使得堆载结束后桩土应力比变化很小。筋材长度对加筋碎石桩复合地基桩土应力比和沉降影响显著,应对其全长加筋才能保证桩体刚度和有效减少沉降。     

Geosynthetic-reinforced and jet grout column-supported embankments on soft soils: Numerical analysis and parametric study

Using a computer code based on the finite element method, a study is conducted to analyse the time-dependent behaviour of a geosynthetic-reinforced and jet grout column-supported embankment on soft soils, as well as the influence of three factors: the embankment height, the elastic modulus of column and the column spacing. The cylindrical unit cell formulation is used. The numerical model incorporates the Biot consolidation theory with soil constitutive relations simulated by the p–q–θ critical state model. Special emphasis is given to the analysis of several parameters: settlement, excess pore pressure, effective stress, stress level, tension in the geosynthetic, soil arching effect and overall efficiency coefficient.     

软粘土层上的油罐差异沉降

根据某一大型油罐软基加固处理工程方案设计和优选需要,按照离心模型相似律,开展了三组模型试验,分别模拟了天然地基、土工合成材料袋装碎石垫层和既在填土层中设置袋装碎石垫层又在淤泥质粘土层设置土工合成材料排水板三种情况,以研究这一加固布置形式对减小高压缩性软土层地基上油罐罐底的差异沉降效果反应。模型油罐地基采用原型土重塑制备,现场土工合成材料袋装碎石采用柔性机织玻璃纤维细管塞装粗砂条模拟,并在不停机运转条件下模拟了多次充放水预压加载。试验结果表明,油罐软弱地基经土工合成材料袋装碎石加固后,罐底总沉降值和差异沉降值均明显小于天然地基情形下对应的沉降值,罐底畸变得到显著减小,就本文所述的土质条件、土层厚度和预压荷载强度,地基经加固处理后,油罐罐底畸变减小了近50 %。最后就土工合成材料在加固油罐地基布置形式的合理性进行了初步探讨。     

A new model for geosynthetic reinforced soil

It is common to use geosynthetics to reinforce soft-soils or peat with a view to improve their load — settlement response. A new foundation model element — the rough membrane, is proposed to represent the response of the geofabric. Combining this element with Winkler springs and Pasternak shear layers to model respectively the soft soil and the granular fills, a new foundation model is presented for the geosynthetic — granular fill — soft soil system. Analysis of results at small displacement indicates the effect of granular fill to be more and significant than that of the membrane thus confirming large scale model test results of Jarrett and results based on F.E.M. (Boutrup and Holtz). The effect of the membrane increases with the load or decreasing soil stiffness.     

桩承式加筋路堤作用机理理论分析与数值模拟

软土地基上填筑高路堤常常面临地基承载力不足、沉降和不均匀沉降过大等问题。桩承式加筋路堤能够有效地解决这些难题。通过理论分析和有限元数值模拟,研究了路堤填土-加筋材料-桩体-桩间土之间的相互作用机理,讨论了路堤填土中的土拱效率、桩体效率、路堤底面差异沉降和筋材拉力的变化规律。研究结果表明,填土中的土拱效应和筋材张力膜效应能够有效地提高桩体效率,防止软土屈服;筋材内部拉力呈非线性分布,桩顶边缘处筋材拉力最大。     

Performance of reinforced,DMM column-supported embankment considering reinforcement viscosity and subsoil’s decreasing hydraulic conductivity

It has been widely accepted that reinforcement made of polyethylene and polypropylene is susceptible to creep and soil’s hydraulic conductivity varies with its void ratio. However, unfortunately there is no available sensitivity analysis on time-dependent embankment behaviour taking either reinforcement viscosity or time varying hydraulic conductivity of subsoil into consideration. The influence of geosynthetic reinforcement viscosity and decreasing hydraulic conductivity with consolidation on the time-dependent performance of embankments with floating columns is investigated using a fully 3D coupled model. For an embankment at the working height corresponding to a post-consolidation polypropylene geotextile strain of about 5%, it is shown that the assumption of constant hydraulic conductivity and the failure to consider the viscous behaviour of geosynthetic reinforcement can underestimate time-dependent embankment deformations (including differential crest settlement and horizontal toe movement). The effects of factors including the foundation soil, reinforcement stiffness, column stiffness, column spacing, column type (floating and fully penetrating), and construction rate, on the time-dependent behaviour of column supported embankments are explored.     

Soil–Structure Interaction of Damped Infinite Beams on Extensible Geosynthetic Reinforced Earth Beds Under Moving Loads

In the present paper, soil-structure interaction analysis of an infinite beam resting on extensible geosynthetic reinforced earth beds has been carried out for an applied load moving with constant velocity. The viscous damping of the soil-foundation system has been given due consideration in the analytical procedure. The infinite beam has been treated as resting on a granular fill layer overlying the naturally occurring weak soil layer. Geosynthetic layer has been provided in the granular fill layer and has been considered as extensible. This extensible nature has been incorporated with the help of no slip and the compatibility conditions at the interface between reinforcing layer and the neighboring soil. These conditions help in eliminating the two interfacial shear stress parameters and in considering the tensile modulus of geosynthetic layer in the analysis. The influence of various parameters, like magnitude and velocity of applied moving load, viscous damping, relative stiffness of granular fill and tensile modulus of geosynthetic layer, on the response of soil-foundation system has been studied. It has been observed that all these parameters affect the response significantly, however, the effect of velocity of moving load and viscous damping has been found to be more significant especially at higher velocities.     

Experimental and numerical analyses of circular footing on geogrid-reinforced granular fill underlain by soft clay

Experimental and numerical investigations into the bearing capacity of circular footing on geogrid-reinforced compacted granular fill layer overlying on natural clay deposit have been conducted in this study. A total of 8 field tests were carried out using circular model rigid footing with a diameter of 0.30 m. 3D numerical analyses were performed to simulate soil behavior using finite element program Plaxis 3D Foundation. The results from the FE analysis are in very good agreement with the experimental observations. It is shown that the degree of improvement depends on thickness of granular fill layer and properties and configuration of geogrid layers. Parameters of the experimental and numerical analyses include depth of first reinforcement, vertical spacing of reinforcement layers. The results indicate that the use of geogrid-reinforced granular fill layers over natural clay soils has considerable effects on the bearing capacity and significantly reduces the lateral displacement and vertical displacement of the footing.     

A Critical Review of Construction, Analysis and Behaviour of Stone Columns

Stone columns have been used as an effective technique for improving the engineering behaviour of soft clayey grounds and loose silt deposits. The soil improvement via stone columns are achieved from accelerating the consolidation of weak soil due to shortened drainage path, increasing the load carrying capacity and/or settlement reduction due to inclusion of stronger granular material. This paper discusses the techniques, methods of construction of stone columns, mechanisms of stone column behaviour under load and associated design philosophies along with some practical findings from recent research programs.