Numerical Modeling of Pile-Supported Low Embankments under Cyclic Traffic Loading Considering the Effect of Pavement Crack

Abstract

Extensive research has been carried out to understand the behavior of pile-supported embankments; however, pavement crack, which could appear early on the pavement of low embankments during the service life, has not yet been incorporated in previous numerical models. This study aims to investigate the effect of pavement crack on the response of pile-supported low embankments under cyclic traffic loading. A finite-element model for pile-supported low embankments that considers the pavement crack was developed, and a cyclic traffic loading was simulated using a half-sinusoidal function. The numerical model with a crack under cyclic loading was verified using an existing analytical solution. The effect of pavement crack, including crack type, horizontal distance, and depth, on the response of pile-supported low embankments under cyclic traffic loading were investigated. Results indicate that the vertical stress and settlement in pile-supported low embankments increase with consideration of the effect of pavement crack, which leads to a quicker degradation of the arching effect compared with a case with no crack. Results from a parametric study show that the settlement of soft soil decreases with increasing elastic modulus of the AC layer and wheel velocity and decreasing peak amplitude of cyclic loading.