Investigation on Load Transfer in Geosynthetic-Reinforced Pile-Supported Embankments

The geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankment (GRPSE) is one of the most effective and economical foundation reinforcement measures for embankment constructed over soft soils. The 3D analysis using finite element method was adopted to study the soil arching effect of GRPSEs, including load transfer between piles and soils. In this study, the numerical model has been calibrated with measured data obtained from field tests conducted along the alignment of a high-speed railway in China. The results of subsequent parametric study show significant correlations between pile efficiency and the height of the embankment, the pile spacing, the tensile strength of the geogrid, and slope of the virgin consolidation curve of the soil. Models used in previous studies have not fully represented the effects of the properties of geogrids and soils on the soil arching effect. An empirical calculation model that considers the four factors mentioned and based on multi-shell arching theory was presented. This model can be used to calculate the vertical stresses in the embankment, especially in the cushion, and the pile efficiency.