Modelagem física de aterros estruturados: análise do efeito da compactação e do uso de duas camadas de reforço

Abstract

Geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankments are widely used as a geotechnical solution for construction over soils with high compressibility and low bearing capacity, such as soft soils. In this technique, most of the embankment loads and surcharges are transferred to the piles through soil arching and membrane effect. Using large-scale physical modelling, four pile-supported embankments arrangements were performed, varying the number of reinforcement layers and the types of applied soil compaction. These tests were performed under two-dimensional conditions, the subsoil settlement was simulated by lowering a trapdoor and numerous instruments were installed in the model to monitor the transference of load between the soil, the pile caps and the reinforcements. This study aimed to develop a better understanding of soil arching and membrane effect in pile-supported embankments. Additionally, the effects of the soil compaction and the use of two-layer reinforcement, instead of one, were duly analyzed. The results were compared to previous studies and design methods suggested in the literature (HEWLETT and RANDOLPH 1988, EHRLICH 2001, ZAESKE 2001 and VAN EEKELEN 2015).