Prediction of Failure of Embankment on Soft Clay from Construction Control Chart

The stability of an embankment during and after construction is mainly dependent on the displacements under the embankment. There are numerous studies on the detrimental effect on the behavior of the proposed embankment or adjacent structures around the embankment. Different ground treatment techniques are implemented, and concurrent ground instruments are also deployed to control immense effects such as huge displacements and the collapse of embankments. Matsuo et al. (1977) proposed a stability chart to control the failure of the embankment based on the settlements at the center and lateral deformations at the toe of the embankment. The present study analyzed the data provided by different case studies on embankments and found the displacements using finite element software PLAXIS 2D. The lateral displacements and settlements obtained from PLAXIS 2D are plotted in the Matsuo stability chart to know the factor of safety at each stage of construction. Hence, the prior prediction of failure of the embankment can be possible with the Matsuo plot by observing the displacements. The lateral displacements and settlements from finite element analysis (FEA) are compared with the parameter obtained from the experimental, numerical, and observational methods existing in the case histories.