Modeling of rigid inclusion ground improvements in large-scale geotechnical simulations

Abstract

The methods for modeling rigid inclusion ground improvements are well documented in the literature, yet their application to large-scale geotechnical simulations remains underanalyzed. Due to the large number of discretization elements/nodes used in such simulation, certain simplifications are necessary. This paper presents methods for modeling rigid inclusion ground improvements in large-scale geotechnical simulations. The methodologies involve modeling the inclusions using continuum elements, beam elements or replacing them with an equivalent medium through homogenization techniques. The advantages and drawbacks of each method are discussed, particularly regarding their applicability to analyses covering significant areas. In the second part of the paper, a case study of the foundation of the conduit pipe in the dam of Szalejów Górny dry antiflood reservoir in Poland is simulated using two of the considered methods. The obtained results are compared and discussed.

Keywords

• finite element method
• rigid inclusion
• ground improvement
• homogenization theory
• settlement
• large-scale geotechnical simulation