Analysis of Embankment Supported by Rigid Inclusions Using Plaxis 3D

Abstract

A rigid inclusion-supported embankment is used to overcome the problems of soft soils. This system is considered complex due to the various interactions between its elements, namely the embankment body, load transfer platform, geogrid layers, piles, and soft soils. The load transfer mechanism is based on the phenomenon of soil arching, the tension in the geogrid layers, support of the soft soils, and friction between piles and soft soil. In this paper, the first part highlights the behaviour of a rigid inclusion-supported embankment validated by field measurements, and the contribution of rigid inclusions technology to the reduction of settlement and creep settlement. In addition, the effect of geogrid in improving the load efficiency and reducing the settlements is presented. In the second part, a comparison is made between many analytical design methods and a three-dimensional finite element analysis method. The results show the inconsistencies between the analytical methods in calculating the load efficiency and the tension in the geogrid.