Numerical Analysis And Modelling Of Geogrid Reinforced Road Embankment Using Finite Element Based Software: In The Case Of Dukem

Abstract

Road Embankments And Other Constructions On Natural Weak Clay Are Still A Challenge In Geotechnical Engineering Work. Problems Due To Deformation Are Very Common On Embankments And Cause Failure, Which Results In Either Large Settlement Or Sliding Due To Inadequate Shear Strength. In Order To Mitigate The Problem Of Poor Ground Bulk Excavation And Borrow Fill Was Conservative Previously. However, This Way Of Mitigation Leads To Temporary Destruction Of Infrastructure Like Water Distribution Line, Electric Cable, Telecom Fiber Line And Etc. Consequently, A Cost Of Time Delay, Unservice Ability Period, And Cost Of Maintenance Is High. Hence, A Mechanistic Design Procedure For Reinforced Pavement Structures Should Be Developed, Which Requires A Better Understanding And Characterization Of The Geogrid-Reinforced Mechanisms. Thus, The Present Study Aimed To Address These Issues By Developing Improved Model For Analysis And Design Of Geogrid-Reinforced Road Embankment Laid On Weak Clay Under Cyclic Working Traffic Loads In The Case Of Dukam Town. It Is Intended In Quantifying The Structural Contribution By Geogrid Reinforcement And Incorporating It Into The Design Methodology. Plaxis 2d Plane Strain V8.6 Is Used For This Research In Conjunction With The Mohr-Coulomb Model, Which Is Adopted For The Parent Soil And Embankment And Linear Elastic Model For The Ac Pavement And Geogrid Reinforcement. The Influence Of Key Design Parameters Such As The Effect Of Side Slope, Reinforcement Position, Number Of Layers And Type Of Geogrid Applied Upon The Performance Of Geogrid Reinforced Road Embankment Was Investigated Through A Total Of 67 Numerical Analyses Including Preliminary Checks To Ensure Accurate Numerical Analysis. The Modeling Has Shown That The Performance Of Geogrid Reinforced Road Embankment For Efficient Combination With Respect To Lateral Deformation Is That The Horizontal Displacement Of Reinforced Embankment Was Reduced Around One-Third Of Unreinforced One (I.E. Reduction Factor Is 36%). It Was Demonstrated That There Is Also A Significant Reduction In Settlement When The Ground Is Reinforced With The Convenient Combination Of Geogrid Reinforcement Factors. The Vertical Displacement Of The Reinforced Embankment Was Reduced By 42% Of Untreated One. Relying On The Parametric Study The Geogrid Reinforced Road Embankment With Side Slope Of 1:2, A Single Layered Type Iii Geogrid Placed At The Bottom Of The Embankment Is Selected And Recommended As The Most Efficient Combination Of The Rest All.