Abstract
Design of road infrastructure in karst terrain is a challenge for any geotechnical condition caused by the weathering of the subsoil. Previous investigations pointed out the efficiency of the roads with geogrids, however there are few studies analyzing road reinforced under karst geohazards. This paper presents a numerical study of the geogrid additions in a typical Mexican road and considering 19 cavities in the subsoil due to failures of the roads in these terrains. The rocks and the soil were simulated by Hoek–Brown and Mohr–Coulomb constitutive models, considering specific characteristics of karstic materials. Hence, it was carried out in different two-dimension finite element models to analyze the geogrid behavior and its benefits. First, the geogrid position was varied inside of the road structure and applying a heavy truck load in its surface and finally, underground cavities were sequentially opened in the numerical model. It was established the best combination of the road-geogrid structure construction and the influence when cavities are developed underground analyzing the stress paths in the medium. From this study, it is found, that when the geogrid layer is embedded between bedrock and subgrade, the failure is mitigated, observing an increase in the factor of safety even with 19 voids presence in the model. Concluding that the geogrid is an adequate solution of reinforcement of roads.
Highlights
Karst geomorphology in the world is produced by dissolution of carbonate rocks, developing surface characteristics as poljes, sinkholes, shallow holes and it is through these voids or conduits that groundwater can flow [1]
In the way to find solutions, several numerical methods have been developed to analyze conclude that thethe useuse of one geogrid layerlayer or two geogrids improvement improvementand andsome someofofthese these conclude that of one geogrid or of them increase the bearing capacity of the soil, because of the well distributed stresses two of them increase the bearing capacity of the soil, because of the well distributed along of along the geogrids
This study provides new insight into road reinforcement with geogrids but considering several voids in the terrain and pointing out the best position of a geogrid layer in the road structure in order to mitigate road failures due to the subsidence in the terrain caused by many cavities
Summary
Karst geomorphology in the world is produced by dissolution of carbonate rocks, developing surface characteristics as poljes, sinkholes (dolines), shallow holes and it is through these voids or conduits that groundwater can flow [1]. The karst landscape is part of the 20% of the area in the earth [2] and according to Conrado-Palafox [3], the karst activity has a high influence on the stresses in the ground that produces settlements on the terrain. In those it is possible to observe one effect of Infrastructures 2021, 6, x FOR PEER REVIEW the karst activity and the effect and the problematic is evident, Yucatan road. Schemes of layersofand thickness of a typical structure in Yucatán [23]. [23]
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