Improved Analytical Soil Arching Model for the Design of Piled Embankments

Abstract

Because analytical soil arching models are fundamental for the design of piled embankments, numerous soil arching models were proposed for this purpose. However, the results obtained from various soil arching models differ considerably, which may be due to the different assumptions caused by an incomplete understanding of soil arching behaviors. In this study, a series of two-dimensional (2D) discrete element method models were conducted to reveal the underlying mechanism for the mobilization of soil arching and its morphological characteristics. Then, an improved analytical soil arching model was developed, taking into account the mobilization state of soil arching, modifications to the soil arching height, and the corresponding load-uniformity coefficient of the stress acting on the subsoil. Finally, the feasibility of the present model was verified by comparing the results with the experimental data. The results showed that both the soil arching height and the load-transfer efficacy depend on the mobilization state of soil arching. The maximum soil arching height was found to be about 0.8 times that of pile clear spacing, in which the load-transfer efficacy reaches a peak. The present model in which the mobilization state of soil arching is taken into account could estimate the deformation and stress state of a piled embankment more accurately.