Research on Critical Height of Geocell-Reinforced Embankments over Soft Ground

Abstract

As three dimensional reinforcement, geocell used in embankment cushion shows obvious advantage in increasing overall stability and deformation control, especially on soft ground. But evaluation on the critical height and its overall stability of geocell reinforced embankments is still short of study. By taking both the vertical stress dispersion effects and lateral confinement effects of geocell layer into consideration, a calculation model about critical height of the embankments was proposed by employing the limit equilibrium method and assuming that the foundation failed in circular failure mode, in which geocell and infill soil were regarded as composite material. A numerical model was built using FLAC and calibrated by an embankment model test. The safety factors of the embankments which were calculated by the analytical model and numerical model were compared and they were coincident well with each other.