Author : David Richard Guest
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 562 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (592 download)
Book Synopsis An Experimental and Analytical Study of Reinforced Earth Embankments by : David Richard Guest
Download or read book An Experimental and Analytical Study of Reinforced Earth Embankments written by David Richard Guest and published by . This book was released on 1989 with total page 562 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This thesis reports a theoretical and experimental study of the behaviour of reinforced earth embankments on soft clay foundations. Previous work on the analysis, design and modelling of reinforced earth is reviewed. Attention is drawn to limit equilibrium slip circle analysis, which is commonly used for the design of reinforced earth embankments, and the problems associated with its use are explained. -- As an alternative design method plasticity analysis provides an acceptable stress discontinuity field for this situation, and allows the calculation of a lower bound to the bearing capacity of the foundation. A rupture mechanism is postulated on the basis of the stress field and the resulting pattern of displacements is developed. -- A series of reinforced and unreinforced model tests were performed in which sand embankments, founded on layers of soft kaolin (of different thickness), were surcharge loaded to collapse. The foundation deformation fields were measured using a radiographic technique. Collapse loads and reinforcement load distributions were also recorded. These experimental tests were mathematically modelled using the CRISP finite element program, and an investigation into the effect of the reinforcement stiffness on the composite behaviour of the model was carried out. Data from a full scale instrumented embankment is also presented. -- A comparison between the theoretically predicted collapse fields of deformation in the foundation and those measured experimentally is made, and the suitability of applying plasticity theory to the design of reinforced embankments is discussed. The influence of foundation depth and reinforcement stiffness on the bearing capacity of the clay layer, and the loads measured in the reinforcement, is noted and explained in the context of the theoretical plasticity approach.