Calculation model and bearing capacity optimization method for the soil settlement between piles in geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankments based on the membrane effect

Zhen Liu; Aobo Zhang; Jiangping Xu; Cuiying Zhou; Lihai Zhang

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0256190

Calculation model and bearing capacity optimization method for the soil settlement between piles in geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankments based on the membrane effect

PLoS One. 2021 Aug 16;16(8):e0256190. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256190. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Zhen Liu^{1

2}, Aobo Zhang^{1

2}, Jiangping Xu¹, Cuiying Zhou^{1

2}, Lihai Zhang³

Affiliations

¹ School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
² Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Major Infrastructures Safety, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
³ The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.

Abstract

The geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankment (GRPSE) system has been widely used in road construction on soft soil. However, the application of the GRPSE system is often restricted by its high-cost. The reason is that they are designed for bearing control as defined in the past. During the construction process, the pile spacing is reduced to meet the requirements for the embankment bearing capacity and settlement. These factors cause the membrane effect to not be exploited. As a result, the utilization efficiency of the bearing capacity of the soil between the piles is low and the project cost is high. Therefore, in order to solve the problem of insufficient bearing capacity of soil between piles, we established a settlement calculation model of soil between piles based on membrane effect. The model considers the relationship between the geosynthetic reinforcement (GR) and the pile spacing. Based on the obtained model, a method for optimizing the soil bearing capacity of GRPSEs is proposed. By controlling the settlement of soil between piles, the bearing capacity of soil between piles and the membrane effect of embankment can be fully utilized. Therefore, the project cost can be reduced. Finally, the method is applied to field tests for comparison. The results show that the method is reasonable and applicable. This method can effectively exploit the membrane effect and improve the utilization efficiency of the bearing capacity of the soil between piles. An economical and reasonable arrangement scheme for the piles and GR was obtained. This scheme can not only ensure the safety of the project, but also fully utilize the bearing capacity of the soil between the piles and provide a new method for engineering design.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Construction Industry / methods*
Humans
Models, Statistical
Soil / chemistry*

Substances

Soil

Grants and funding

This research was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (http://www.nsfc.gov.cn/), grant numbers 41977230 and 41530638;National Key Research and Development Project(https://service.most.gov.cn/), grant numbers 2017YFC1501203 and 2017YFC1501201; National Key Research and Development Project (https://service.most.gov.cn/), grant number 2017YFC0804605; Guangdong Science and Technology Department (http://gdstc.gd.gov.cn/), grant numbers 2015B090925016 and 2016B010124007; Special Support Programme for High Level Talents in Guangdong (http://www.gd.gov.cn/), grant number 2015TQ01Z344; Science and technology planning project in Guangzhou (http://kjj.gz.gov.cn/), grant number 201803030005. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.