Overall stability of geosynthetic-reinforced embankments on soft soils: Fid-Bau Portal

Overall stability of geosynthetic-reinforced embankments on soft soils

Borges, J.L. / Cardoso, A.S.

Overall stability of geosynthetic-reinforced embankments on soft soils was analysed with two different methodologies described in the paper: (i) application of a numerical model based on the finite element method; and (ii) use of a limit equilibrium method. These two methodologies were applied on three geosynthetic-reinforced embankments on soft soils; one of them is a case history that was constructed up to failure. Considering the analysis of the results, the following conclusions can be formulated: The critical slip circles obtained by the two methodologies are similar for the three cases, as well as the values of the safety factor, which determines an adequate accuracy of the limit equilibrium method to assess overall safety factor in reinforced embankments on soft soils. The most important differences between the two methodologies are related to the values of the overturning and resisting moments, which are smaller in the methodology based on the numerical analysis. These differences which are larger in embankments with smaller values of the safety factor are related to some stress redistribution that occurs inside of the soil mass, simulated by the finite element method but not considered in the simplified hypotheses of the limit equilibrium method.