Abstract
Geosynthetic reinforcement has become a very practical technique to improve geotechnical structure safety. In spite of improved soil behavior, structures are affected by uncertainties related to soil and reinforcement material properties. This paper aims to present a reliability analysis in order to take statistical information (uncertainties) into account in a safety analysis of reinforced embankments. The analysis was used in a case study on a controlled stage-constructed embankment on soft ground in order to investigate its probabilistic stability. Modeling was performed by commercial geotechnical software usage (GeoStudio and RocScience packs, SIGMA/W+SLOPE/W and SLIDE³, respectively) and the reliability structural analysis was acquired by coupling this software with a reliability program. Then, two numerical models were simulated: a 2D and a 3D one. For this application, the First Order Reliability Method (FORM) was assumed for the reliability analyses. The statistical information, as well as the correlation between variable pairs, was based on a literature review. In total, 29 parameters were assumed as random variables (splitting parameters from different zones and layers). At the same time, the influence of the uncertainty level on reliability analysis and the sensitivity of parameters (assumed as random variables) were investigated. As a result, the reliability indexes obtained showed that the structure analyzed should not be considered with a satisfactory safety level. Meanwhile, the uncertainty level assumed for random variables can lead the probabilistic analysis to very different conclusions about the structural safety, and the most sensitivity parameters observed were the bulk unit weight (clay – soft soil – and fill material) and the undrained shear strength, followed by a slight importance of the initial void ratio.
Highlights
Soil retaining structures are, sometimes, essential for several engineering constructions and designs
Reliability Analysis of Reinforced Embankment system has arisen to deal with these conditions
Deterministic analyses were performed in order to validate the model
Summary
Sometimes, essential for several engineering constructions and designs. These structures are conceived and constructed by using cyclopean or reinforced concrete, anchored or not. With increasing soil heights to contain and eventual poor foundation soils, the cost of these structures has increased considerably. Reliability Analysis of Reinforced Embankment system has arisen to deal with these conditions. According to Elias et al (2001), the advantages provided by using geosynthetic materials to reinforce soil structures are noted under these conditions. The polymeric material can be employed with other solutions to improve lateral support, such as exposed by Fattah et al (2015, 2016a,b)
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