Pile Length Optimization for Basal Reinforced Piled Embankments System

Abstract

Soft soil is the most challenging in the geotechnical engineer due to low shear strength and high deformation modules compared with other types of soils. Soft soil properties are characterized by high voids and water content, low density, and consistency angle. Soft soil is formed at the mouth of rivers due to the low velocity of the water in this area, which allows sedimentation of small particles. One example is El Tina plain in East Port Said. The soft soil in this region has a depth of up to 50 m. In this study, an advanced numerical model has been developed using finite element software to simulate the compilation of three case studies of actual field measurements to validate the numerical model to carry sensitivity analyses to optimize the Floating Pile length for different sizes based on the regional ground formations in east Port Said area. This study uses piled-embankment as one of the approaches to improve the soft soils to accommodate earth embankment with less time of construction and less settlement value for different loading situations. This technique consists of a grid of piles, overlaid by a geotextile layer that are covered by the embankment backfill layers. This method utilizes the soil arching phenomena that transfer the embankment loads onto closely-spaced piles. In this study, finite element Plaxis 3D has been used to simulate a piled embankment model on top of the soil layers for a case study of Hammed (2017) that provided comprehensive characterization of El-Tina Plain in East Port Said.