Case study of reinforced earth embankments and rigid inclusions in soft estuarine alluvium
Case study of reinforced earth embankments and rigid inclusions in soft estuarine alluvium
The M49 motorway connects the M4 and M5 near to Bristol, UK. As part of National Highways strategic improvement to the network, a new grade separated junction has recently been constructed. This necessitated the elevation of slip roads up to 10m above existing levels, supported on 70º reinforced embankments. The ground conditions comprise up to 10m of soft alluvial deposits and therefore consolidation and creep mechanisms were important design considerations. To control both stability and settlement, rigid inclusions were constructed beneath the embankments. A monitoring system was put in place.
This paper details a case study of the reinforced earth and ground improvement measures. Finite element methods were used to model the embankment performance including the installation effects of rigid inclusions, the complex interaction between geogrid reinforcement and subsequent displacements of the embankment system, and long-term creep behaviour in the soft alluvium. Conclusions are drawn about the suitability of the Soft Soil Creep model for alluvial material, together with recommendations about modelling rigid inclusions using finite element methods.
Matthew Brown
10th European Conference on Numerical Methods in Geotechnical Engineering (NUMGE2023)
11. Reinforcements and ground improvement
https://doi.org/10.53243/NUMGE2023-203
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