Numerical Analysis on the Performance of Fibre Reinforced Load Transfer Platform and Deep Mixing Columns Supported Embankments

Abstract

Deep cement mixing (DCM) columns are commonly employed as the most effective ground improvement approach in support of the road and railway embankments constructed over soft soils with low bearing capacity, insufficient shear strength and high compressibility. Finite element modeling is widely adopted to examine the performance of the road, railway and highway embankments during construction, post-construction as well as serviceability periods. Nevertheless, very limited studies have been conducted on the fibre reinforced load transfer platform (FRLTP) and DCM columns supported highway embankments constructed over soft clays. This paper presents a numerical investigation based on fine element method (FEM) to investigate the influence of fibre inclusion in the load transfer platform and DCM columns supported embankment on the stress transfer mechanism, overall and differential settlements, surface settlement versus horizontal distance from the centreline of embankment, settlement with depth, and variations of excess pore water pressure, which have been analysed and discussed in detail. The findings of this numerical analysis indicate that the FRLTP and DCM columns supported embankments can effectively alleviate the total settlement, excess pore water pressure and intensity of embankment load transfer to soft foundation soil, while considerably enhance the rigidity, stability and load transfer mechanism from the embankment to soil-cement columns.