Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment

Exercise 2b. Stability of a reinforced embankment

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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment

INTRODUCTION

In 1979 a test embankment was constructed in the Netherlands near the town of Almere. The objective
of this test was to measure the influence of geotextile reinforcement on the short term stability of an
embankment on soft soil. Two test embankments were constructed on top of a layer, one with and one
without geotextile. The construction procedure was such that a ditch was excavated in the clay layer
while at the same time a retaining bank was made with the excavated clay. A cross-section of the
reinforced test embankment is given in Figure 1.

line of symmetry

geotextile
ditch retaining bank
1
sand fill 2

2
soft clay
1,5
strong sand layer

1 3.5 3.5 1 3 14 . 7

model width approx. 33 m

Figure 1. Cross-section of the reinforced embankment

The objective of this tutorial is to calculate the influence of geotextile reinforcement on the short term
stability of an embankment on soft soil. After determination of some model parameters, the
construction of an embankment on soft soil is simulated by means of a staged construction analysis.
The embankment is reinforced by means of geotextile. The modelling of undrained behaviour and the
generation of pore pressures is reviewed in this exercise. Also, the influence of consolidation on the
factor of safety will be assessed. As a suggestion of an extra exercise is to calculate the embankment
performance modelled without geotextile.

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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment
Aims of this tutorial are:

• Calculation of two alternatives within one project.

• Simulation of embankment construction in stages.
• Application of geogrid elements
• Review of undrained behaviour and pore pressures.
• Performing consolidation analysis.
• Determination of the factor of safety using phi/c reduction

SCHEME OF OPERATIONS

A) Determination of strength and stiffness properties

B) Geometry input

• Start a new project

• Enter general settings
• Enter geometry + enter geotextile
• Enter fixities
• Enter material properties for soil and geotextile
• Mesh generation + refine cluster

C) Calculation of initial condition

• Initial geometry configuration

• Initial pore pressure configuration
• Generation of initial stresses

D) Embankment stability calculation

• Switch on geotextile, excavate ditch + raise retaining embankment

• Apply first hydraulic fill
• Apply second hydraulic fill
• Determine factor of safety
• Repeat this using consolidation phases instead of plastic phases.

E) Inspect output

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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment
DETERMINATION OF STIFFNESS & STRENGTH PROPERTIES

Cone penetration tests gave an average cone resistance of q c = 150 kPa for the clay. The clay is
considered to be normally consolidated. The behaviour is assumed to be undrained (the retaining bank
should be drained, however). The saturated weight of the clay is 13.5 kN/m3. A plasticity index of I p =
50% is assumed. Due to the limited soil data, parameters should be selected using engineering
judgement and by using known correlations. To obtain an undrained shear strength for the clay layer it
is suggested to use the correlation c u ≈ q c / 15. Having no data for the effective cohesion and the
effective friction angle, they have to be estimated from the undrained shear strength in order to do a
consolidation analysis. For the determination of a stiffness parameter for the clay layer it is suggested
to use the correlation E u ≈ 15000 c u / (Ip %). The shear modulus G is one third of the undrained
Young's modulus E u . The effective Poisson's ratio should be chosen such that a realistic K 0 nc is
obtained in one-dimensional compression (K 0 nc = ν’ / (1-ν’) ≈ 0.5). The effective Young’s modulus is
calculated from the shear modulus E’ = 2G (1+ν’).

The hydraulic fill was reported to be fully saturated loose sand with a saturated weight of 18 kN/m3.
The behaviour is considered to be drained. The effective strength properties are estimated at φ' = 30°
and c' = 3 kPa. K 0 nc is assumed at 0.5. For the stiffness one should take E’ = 4000 kPa and ν’=0.333.

Note: Suggestion for determination of clay parameters

qc 150
cu ≈ = = 10 kPa
15 15
1 '0
cu = (σ x + σ y'0 )sin(ϕ ) + c cos(ϕ ) with σ x'0 = K 0 ⋅ σ y'0 ≈ (1 − sin(ϕ )) ⋅ σ y'0
2
In the middle of the clay layer at about 2 m below ground level:
σ y'0 =h ⋅ (γ sat − γ water ) =2 ⋅ 3.5 =7 kPa ⇒ σ x'0 =(1 − sin(20)) ⋅ σ y'0 =4.6 kPa

For this clay estimate ϕ = 20º, then c ≈ 8 kPa

15000 xc u 15000 x 10
Eu ≈ = = 3000 kPa
50 50
1 1
G = E u = 3000 = 1000 kPa
3 3
8
E = 2G ( 1 + ν ) = G = 2667 kPa
3
K0 0.5
ν = = = 0.333
1 + K 0 1.5
Use Undrained as the type of material behaviour.

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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment
INPUT

Geometry model

♦ Start a new project and select appropriate General settings. Use 15-node elements as basic element
type since in this exercise we will deal with failure behaviour.

♦ Enter the geometry as indicated in the figure 2. The order in which geometry points are created is
arbitrary.

♦ Click the Geogrid button in the line button to introduce the geotextile (from (4.5, 3.5) to
(26.0, 3.5)).

(12, 6.5) (33, 6.5)

(9.5, 5.5)
(8, 5.5)
(33, 5.5)

(4.5, 3.5) (12, 3.5) (26, 3.5)

(0, 3.5) (33, 3.5)

(0, 1.5)
(1, 1.5)

(0, 0) (33, 0)

Figure 2. Geometry configuration

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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment

Material properties

Soil and interfaces

Determine the Mohr-Coulomb strength parameters (ϕ and c) as well as the elastic parameters (E’ and
ν’) for the clay layer from the data as given in the introduction of this exercise. The procedure on how
to determine the parameters for clay are provided on page 4. of this tutorial.
For this exercise, we will continue with the parameters as given in Table 1.

♦ Enter the material properties for the three soil data sets, as indicated in Table 1.

♦ After entering all properties for the three soil types, drag and drop the properties to the appropriate
clusters, as indicated in Figure 3.

♦ Keep the default values for K 0 , that is 0.658 for the Clay layer and 0.5 for the Fill. These default
values proposed by Plaxis are calculated from the relation: K 0 =1-sinφ.

Table 1: Soil parameters.

Clay Retaining bank Hydraulic fill
Parameter Symbol Unit
(sand)
Material model Model Mohr-Coulomb Mohr-Coulomb Mohr-Coulomb -
Type of behaviour Type Undrained A Drained Drained -
Dry weight γ unsat 13.5 13.5 18.0 kN/m3
Wet weight γ sat 13.5 13.5 18.0 kN/m3

Permeability x-dir. kx 1.0E-3 1.0 1.0 m/d

Permeability y-dir. ky 1.0E-3 1.0 1.0 m/d
Young's modulus E ref 2667.0 2667.0 4000.0 kN/m2
Poisson's ratio ν 0.333 0.333 0.333 -
Cohesion c' 8.0 8.0 3.0 kN/m2
Friction angle ϕ’ 20.0 20.0 30.0 °
Dilatancy angle ψ 0.0 0.0 0.0 °

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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment
Geotextile

♦ In the project database select the type Geogrids and create a new material. In this material set, enter
EA = 2500 kN/m as stiffness. Note that this is the stiffness in extension. In compression no
stiffness is used. Assign the material to the geotextile

Retaining bank
Hydraulic fill
Clay Hydraulic fill Geotextile

Clay

Figure 3. Geometry model showing the soil material sets

Mesh generation

♦ From the Mesh menu select the option Global coarseness. In the window that appears, set the mesh
coarseness to Very Coarse and click on the mesh generator button, which will present the following
FE mesh composed of 15-node elements.

♦ Later on you can use Refine mesh tool on the layers. The results are very mesh dependent,
especially when consolidation is taken into account

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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment

Figure 4. Medium coarse generated mesh

Figure 5. Refined mesh

♦ In Water conditions mode define a phreatic level by two coordinates (0, 3.5) and (33, 3.5).

♦ In addition to the phreatic level, attention must be paid to the boundary conditions for the
consolidation analysis. The left vertical boundary (0, 0) and (0, 3.5) must be closed because this is a
line of symmetry, so horizontal flow should not occur. The right vertical boundary (33, 0) and (33,
6.5) should also be closed because there is no flow at that boundary. The bottom is open because
flow can occur freely into the deep and permeable sand layer (which is not included in the model).

♦ Click on the Generate water pressure button and chose the option phreatic level to generate the
pore pressures.

Hint: If you want to select multiple items of the same type, press the <Shift> key on the keyboard
until all desired elements are selected.

CALCULATIONS

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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment
Initial conditions

Starting point of project calculus is appropriate definition of initial conditions; initial geometry
configuration and initial water pressures.

♦ Within Staged construction mode deselect all material clusters and geotextile elements that are not
present at the start of the analysis. As we want to model the entire construction sequence from the
beginning, switch off:
• Geotextile elements;
• Material clusters for the hydraulic fill;
• Material cluster for retaining bank

Construction phases

The calculation consists of two alternatives for the construction of the embankment: without and with
consolidation taken into account. After both alternatives the factor of safety is determined. In the
calculations list 8 phases are needed, 4 phases for each alternative.

Undrained stability analysis

Firstly fully undrained simulation should be performed, therefore analysis without taking consolidation
into account.

♦ Phase 1: construction of the ditch and retaining bank. This calculation phase is a Plastic calculation,
loading type Staged construction. For all the other settings the defaults should be used. In this
phase:
• Switch on the full geotextile
• Switch on the retaining bank
• Switch off the ditch (left of the embankment)

♦ Phase 2: First hydraulic fill. This calculation phase is also a Plastic calculation, loading type Staged
construction. For all the other settings the defaults should be used. In this phase the first layer of
hydraulic fill must be switched on.

♦ Phase 3: Second hydraulic fill. This calculation phase is again a Plastic calculation, loading type
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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment
Staged construction. For all the other settings the defaults should be used. Switch on the second
layer of hydraulic fill.

♦ Phase 4: Safety factor determination. This calculation phase is a Phi/c reduction phase. The loading
type will be set automatically. Chose the option Reset displacements to zero and keep default
settings.

Stability analysis including consolidation

After undrained analysis has been properly defined, we will perform additional embankment stability
analysis taking into account consolidation process.

♦ Phase 5: consolidated construction of the ditch and retaining bank. This calculation phase is a
Consolidation analysis, loading type Staged construction. This phase is an alternative calculation,
so phase 5 should NOT follow on phase 4 as is the default, but it should follow on the initial phase.
To do so, on the General tabsheet set Start from phase to the Initial phase.

We assume that construction of the ditch and retaining bank will take 3 days. Hence, in the Loading
Input box fill in a Time Interval of 3 days. During this time interval construction will take place, as
well as consolidation. For all the other settings the defaults should be used. In this phase again:
• Switch on the full geotextile
• Switch on the retaining bank
• Switch off the ditch (left of the embankment)

♦ Phase 6: First hydraulic fill – consolidated. This calculation phase is also a Consolidation analysis,
loading type Staged construction. We assume that making the hydraulic fill will take 5 days, so the
Time interval should be set on 5 days. For the rest this phase is equal to phase 2; hence the first
layer of hydraulic fill must be switched on.

♦ Phase 7: Second hydraulic fill – consolidated. This calculation phase is again a Consolidation
analysis, loading type Staged construction. This second fill will take 3 days, so the Time interval
should be set on 3 days. For all the other settings the defaults should be used. In staged
construction, switch on the second layer of hydraulic fill.

♦ Phase 8: Safety factor determination. This calculation phase is a Phi/c reduction phase. The loading
type will be set automatically. Reset displacements to zero keep all default settings.
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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment

♦ As node for load-displacement curves, select the toe of the embankment (geometry point 2) and
start the calculation.

OUTPUT

♦ In order to get a good idea of the displacement mechanism, one should examine contours of
incremental displacements.

Figure 6 shows this plot of the final calculation step for the undrained construction. It clearly shows the
effect of the geotextile reinforcement. Figure 7 shows the incremental displacement for the
consolidated construction. Here the embankment has a more gradual settlement without showing an
upcoming failure mechanism.

Figure 6. Total incremental displacements - contours, undrained (phase 3) Note: values you get may
differ, as they are step dependent

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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment

Figure 7. Total incremental displacements - contours, consolidated (phase 7)

♦ The axial forces of the geotextile can be visualised by double clicking on the geotextile. This
will first present the displacement of the geotextile. On using the menu item Forces, one can
select Axial forces. (the default is displacements)

At the ends of the geotextile the axial force must be zero, but due to the discretisation and some
numerical inaccuracy this is not completely achieved. The maximum axial forces is approx. 8 kN/m.

Figure 9 shows the axial forces for the consolidated construction. The maximimum axial force here is
only 5-6 kN/m.

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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment

Figure 8. Axial forces in geotextile, undrained (phase 3)

Figure 9. Axial forces in geotextile, consolidated (phase 7)

Finally, the factors of safety are checked. In order to do so follow these steps:

♦ Start the curves program by pressing the Curves button at the far left of the button bar. Select a new
curve and select the appropriate project. This presents the Curve Generation window as shown in
Figure 10. Choose Displacements on the x-axis and the Multiplier ΣMsf on the y-axis.
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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment

Figure 10. Curve generation window.

The created curve indicates a safety factor just below 1.4 for the undrained construction and a safety
factor of 1.75 for the consolidated construction of the embankment, as can be seen in Figure 11.

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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment

Figure 11. Safety factor curve for reinforced embankment

From the graph above, the factor of safety can be determined. Always look for a steady state solution
(slight variations in the load multipliers, increasing displacements). In most case, the Phi/c reduction
calculation shows some variation at the beginning of the calculation. Note that the displacements
resulting from a Phi/c reduction are non-physical. Hence the total displacements are not relevant. An
Incremental displacement plot of the last step, however, shows the failure mechanism that corresponds
the calculated value for ΣMsf.

♦ Examine and Compare Incremental displacement output for fourth and eight calculation step and
identify position of failure surface.

Figure 12. Total incremental displacements - vectors, undrained (phase 4)

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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment

Figure 13. Total incremental displacements - contours, undrained (phase 4).

Figure 14. Total incremental displacements vectors, consolidated (phase 8)

Figure 15. Total incremental displacements - contours, consolidated (phase 8)

Replicate results in Optum G2. Comparisons of results:

Figure 16. Geogrid Forces, undrained, Optum

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 Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment

Figure 17. Geogrid Forces, Consolidation, Optum

Figure 18. Factor of safety and mode of failure, undrained, Optum

Figure 18. Factor of safety and mode of failure, consolidated, Optum

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Exercise 2b – Stability of a reinforced embankment
INFLUENCE OF THE CONSTITUTIVE MODEL
(This is an optional part of the exercise)

With an aim to evaluate influence of the constitutive model on results of the analyses, clay subsoil
is alternatively represented with Hardening soil model. Thus, Mohr-Coulomb input parameters are
converted to those of Hardening soil. Usage of advanced soil models in design tasks with limited
input data is not recommended. Herein, relation between Mohr-Coulomb and Hardening soil input
parameters is examined for educational purposes only. In actual design, parameters for hardening
soil model need to be interpreted from oedometer and triaxial laboratory test results.

♦ Adopt default value of 0,9 for Rf and calculate E50

♦ Adopt m=1 as default value for clays and default reference pressure pref equal to 100 kPa.
Assume confining stress in triaxial compression of σ’3=100 kPa (compression is negative) and
ref
calculate E50 .

♦ Use default relations given in note to calculate Eur ref and Eoedref.

Hardening soil model parameters calculated using relations to Mohr-Coulomb parameters as given
in Plaxis manual are shown in Table 2 (see note).

Table 2. Calculated Hardening soil parameters for clay layer based on Mohr Coulomb data.

Name Clay Unit

Model HS -
Type Undrained A -

γunsat 13,5 kN/m3

γsat 13,5 kN/m3

kx 1⋅10-3 m/day
ky 1⋅10-3 m/day
E 50 ref 1466 kN/m2
E oed ref 733 kN/m2
E ur ref 4398 kN/m2
m 1 -
ν’ur 0.333 -
c’ref 8 kN/m2
ϕ’ 20 °
ψ 0.0 °
K0NC 0.658 −

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Exercise 2b– Stability of a reinforced embankment

♦ Save file under different name. In Input program, define additional dataset according to Table
2.

♦ Simulate oedometer and triaxial compression tests on Clay layer material using
properties defined with Mohr-Coulomb (Table 1) and Hardening Soil models (Table 2).
In simulation of triaxial tests perform drained compression until 30 % of axial strain under
radial pressure of 100 kN/m2 and 50 kN/m2. In simulation of oedometer test, firstly apply
loading to -1000 kN/m2 and later unload to -500 kN/m2 in daily intervals.

♦ Perform stability analyses of an reinforced embankment with clay layer represented by

Hardening soil model using parameters shown in Table 2. Compare results with those
obtained in initial analyses.

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