A new analytical method for design of reinforced embankment on rigid pile elements

Abstract

     Embankments constructed over soft soils induce a significant load over a large area. The technique of reinforcing soil with piles has proven to be an interesting solution that prevents failure or excessive deformations of embankments. Several simplified design procedures were introduced, but they are still over-conservative in results, yielding uneconomical designs. This study presents an advanced analytical method for design of geosynthetic reinforced piled supported embankment, which based on the combination of arching effect, tensioned membrane action, and shear resistance mechanism. The present method describes the complex behavior and interaction between geosynthetic-soil-pile, thereby providing more suitable design approaches and believed to be a useful tool for engineers in designing soil-geosynthetic system. In addition, the numerical modeling based on discrete element method with the most advanced code description currently has been used to investigate the validity and reliability of the proposed method. Thus, the results of this study are expected to provide some guidelines for designers and to bring insight about the interesting the interacting mechanism into the design process