A review of available design techniques and numerical analysis of piled embankment with geosynthetic

Abstract

    Piled embankment reinforced geosynthetics are used as integrated foundation systems for construction of embankment over soft ground. Several design guidelines are available in the literature for these embankments based on the soil arching and tensioned membrane theories. However, among design engineers, there is uncertainty regarding the applicability of these design methods. This paper investigates some practical aspects and identifies some inconsistencies in applying these design methods. Discrete element method with the most advanced code description currently used for analysis of problems and compared to the available design techniques from the case study. This comparison allows giving recommendations about selecting the most suitable design method corresponding to detailed items. According to results, methods of Van Eekelen and EBGEO are the design methods recommended highly for prediction of stress reduction ratio, while methods proposed by Abusharar et al. and EBGEO are more suitable for the design of geosynthetic reinforcement