Geosynthetic reinforced embankments on soft clay foundations: predicting reinforcement strains at failure

Geosynthetic reinforced embankments can fail before the ultimate tensile strength of the reinforcement is mobilized. For the purpose of embankment design, engineers must often rely on experience when selecting a reinforcement strain for analysis using limit equilibrium methods or resort to complicated numerical methods such as those based on the finite element method. This paper presents a simple procedure for estimating the undrained stability of geosynthetic reinforced embankments founded on soft clayey soils where the shear strength increases with depth. Finite element results are summarized in a design chart for establishing geosynthetic reinforcement strains suitable for design. The procedure is illustrated using worked examples and tested against a well documented case history. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.