Study on a Calculation Method of Critical Embankment Height on Natural Soft Foundation Considering the Effect of Crust Layer

Abstract

Taking into consideration both stress dispersion effect and shear strength of crust layer, based on Flamant formula of polar coordinates representation and Mohr-Coulomb strength criterion, this paper deduces a new formula of critical edge pressure of natural soft foundation considering the realistic coefficient of lateral earth pressure. A calculation method of critical embankment height on natural soft foundation is proposed. The limit value of the result calculated by the new method is also put forward, which can ensure the reliability of the method applied. Additionally, critical embankment height at different thickness of crust layer h2, width of embankment loading B, soft layer soil coefficient of lateral earth pressure K0, crust layer soil coefficient of lateral earth pressure K1 is studied. Researches discover that the change of h2, B and K0 has significant influences on critical embankment height; a calculation result of critical embankment height is significantly partially high when the coefficient of lateral earth pressure is equal to 1 under this assumption.