Double-Beam Model to Analyze the Performance of a Pavement Structure on Geocell-Reinforced Embankment

Abstract

In the present study, an attempt has been made to establish and analyze a model of a composite working system combining an upper pavement structure and a geocell-reinforced embankment. In the model, the geocell-reinforced layer, carrying the self-weight of embankment fill and the distributed loads caused by vehicle loads, has been assumed to have finite bending stiffness and substantial interface resistance on both its top and bottom sides. In addition, the pavement structure and the geocell-reinforced layer have been respectively idealized as the upper and the lower Euler–Bernoulli beams supported by a series of discrete linear springs with different stiffness in both vertical and horizontal directions. Governing differential equations for the flexural response of the system have been derived and solved by a decoupled iteration method. Analytical solutions for each iteration step, in closed form, have been obtained with appropriate boundary conditions. A parametric study has been undertaken to investigate the factors that influence the behavior of the upper pavement structure and the geocell-reinforced layer using the proposed solutions.