SETTLEMENT OF EMBANKMENT ON SOFT CLAY : LARGE-SCALE EXPERIMENTAL STUDY AND NUMERICAL MODELING

This paper studied the post-construction settlement of an embankment on soft clay improved by prefabricated plastic drainage plate. A segment of experimental embankment was constructed and instruments were installed to measure the settlement as well as the excess pore water pressure during and after the construction. The measured data were compared with the results of theoretical analysis based on single-drain theory and a finite element analysis based on an equivalent plane strain model. It was found that the finite element method could reasonably predict the settlement, while the excess pore pressure was over estimated. The single-drain theory also gave a rational final settlement, however, longer time was required for settlement to complete. The results also showed that the soil improvement method and the stage construction approach used in this study satisfy the requirements of current specifications. RÉSUMÉ Aucun résumé français fourni par l'auteur. 1 Currently visiting scholar at McMaster University