Analysis of differential settlement of flexible pile-supported and geosynthetics-reinforced embankments

Aimed at the flexible pile-supported and geosynthetics-reinforced embankments,a load transfer model was built up for mutual coordination and cooperative working of the embankment,net,pile and soil.Base on improved load transfer model of embankment and the assumed distribution of skin friction on the flexible pile,the computation formula of the height of equal settlement plane in embankments and the pile-soil differential settlement were obtained for the coupling in soil arching effect,tensioned membrane effect and mutual coordination and cooperative working of pile and soil.The rationality of the model was testified by analysis and computation of a practical engineering.The result showed that the height of the equal settlement plane in embankments and the pile-soil differential settlement would first decrease and then increase with the increase of angle of internal friction of the soil fill,increase with the increase of the pile modulus of compressibility,the compression modulus ratio of pile to soil between piles and the pile spacing,and decrease with the increase of the soil modulus of compressibility between piles,the tensile strength of geogrid and the replacement ratio;With the increase of the soil fill modulus of compressibility,and with the decrease of the unit weight and the height of soil fill,the height of the equal settlement plane in embankments would increase,but the pile-soil differential settlement decrease.