Comparative Evaluation of Arching Mechanisms in Low and High-Rise Embankments

Öz

Soil arching is a load transfer mechanism that develops due to differential soil movements between adjacent zones, resulting in a redistribution of stresses and a reorganization of the soil structure. This phenomenon plays a critical role in understanding the behavior of piled embankments. A full-scale finite element (FE) modeling approach is employed to investigate the soil arching mechanism, focusing on the identification of compression and extension zones between which force chains of arches are formed along the vertical centerline of the embankment. The coefficient K serves as an indicator of the soil’s structural response, enabling the identification of compression and extension zones. A detailed parametric analysis is conducted to assess both Column-Supported (CPS) and Geosynthetic-Reinforced Pile-Supported (GRPS) embankments with different pile spacings and embankment heights. Furthermore, the stress reduction ratio (SRR) of the subsoil within the central pile-to-pile span is evaluated with respect to both embankment height and normalized subsoil settlement. The results reveal that wider pile spacing leads to the formation of higher arches, whereas increased lateral compression near the embankment toes induces larger pile head deflections beneath the shoulder regions. The full-scale modeling approach captures the evolution of arch geometry and stress transfer patterns across the entire embankment, providing valuable insights into the global behavior of piled embankment systems.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Soil arching
• principal stress directions
• lateral earth pressure coefficient (K)
• soft soils
• pile-supported embankments
• full-scale embankment finite element model

Kaynakça

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