Analysis of Failure Mode of Reinforced Embankments Overlying Voids Based on Discrete Method

Abstract

The mode of the reinforced embankment overlying voids was generated based on discrete element software. By changing the vertical distance H and the horizontal distance L, the influence of the void position on the bearing capacity characteristics, displacement field, stress field and its reinforcement deformation law of the reinforced embankment was analyzed when a local overload was applied. Numerical simulation results show that the vertical displacement of the geogrid is symmetrical around the center of the loading plate, and the transverse displacement of the geogrid shows a centrosymmetric trend around the center of the loading plate at different void locations. In addition, the failure mode of the embankment at different void positions is proposed. Four different failure modes exist for the reinforced embankments overlying voids under local overloading: perforation failure, collapse perforation failure, void side failure and no impact failure. When L = 0, as H increases, the embankment failure mode changes from perforation failure to collapse perforation failure; and when L > 0, as L increases, the failure mode changes from void side failure to no impact failure.

Keywords

• failure modes
• reinforced embankments
• voids
• discrete elements