Integrated Analytical Model for Characterizing Stress Distribution of Geosynthetic-Reinforced and Pile-Supported Embankments

Abstract

This paper aims to present an integrated analytical model for geosynthetic-reinforced and pile-supported embankments (GRPSEs) by rationally combining the reinforced embankment, the pile-embedded soft soil foundation, the stress adjustment region, and the equal settlement region of the substratum. The embankment geometry boundary is considered for computing the additional stress beneath the adjustment region of the underlying stratum. The geosynthetic reinforcement (GR)-reinforced embankment together with the composite foundation is considered as a whole system by ensuring the consistency of differential settlement between pile and soil on the subsurface. The stress distribution predictions of the proposed model provide reasonable agreements with the previously published results. Parametric studies and quantitative results of this proposed analytical model show that the whole GRPSE is methodically combined. It is demonstrated that increasing the area converge ratio by decreasing the center-to-center spacing is seen to be a more effective way to enlarge pile efficiency, especially when the area converge ratio is less than 10%. Increasing the compression modulus of the embankment or embedment of pile-toe into a deeper underlying stratum will be beneficial to the increment of pile efficiency. The force captured by the pile increases almost linearly with the ratio of GR deflection to the clear pile spacing.