Centrifuge modelling of piled embankments on soft soils

Peatlands are often avoided in construction due to their high compressibility, high water content and low shear strength. When embankments are constructed on peat special construction methods such as a pile-supported embankment are required. This method consists of a system of piles driven to a bearing stratum below the soft soil to support the embankment load. Soil reinforcement is often included across the pile caps to provide additional support.; Load transfer by soil arching and through tension in the soil reinforcement is the basis for pile-supported embankment design. A number of design methods are currently in use and have been found to over and under predict load transfer in previous studies. Further experimental data are needed to validate these design approaches and understand the load transfer mechanisms taking place.; A plane-strain centrifuge modeling program was performed on unreinforced and reinforced sections of piled embankments on peat. Load transfer was found to occur primarily through soil arching for unreinforced embankments, and through tension in the reinforcement for reinforced embankments. When the degree of load transfer in the centrifuge models was compared with predicted values based on the current design methods, some of the design theories agreed with the experimental results, while others underestimated or overestimated load transfer to the piles. Based on this, there is a need for refinement of the current design methods to properly consider the effect of reinforcement in design.