Study failure modes for geosynthetic reinforced pile supported embankment

Abstract

    Cement deep mixing piles are widely used to support highway embankments constructed on soft compressible ground. Current design procedures for these embankments consider the sliding failure for external stability and the shear failure of cement deep mixing (CDM) piles for internal stability. Other failure modes such as collapse failure, slip circle failure, punching shear failure (overall or local) and bending failure of CDM piles are also significant for piles supported embankments. However, still there are uncertainties are identifying the critical failure modes for these embankments. Hence, this paper investigate some failure modes for Geosynthetic reinforced pile supported (GRPS) embankments by using the finite element method. The embankment and traffic loads are gradually increased to bring the embankment to the verge of failure. Bending of failure of CDM piles and subsequent shear failure for internal stability, local punching failure, overall punching failure and excessive total settlement failure are identified from the numerical analysis results and discussed in detail.