Atkins UK Oct2011

1 | Basal reinforced embankments according to BS8006
Basal Reinforced Embankments According to

BS8006
Chris Lawson
October 2010
BS 8006:1995 Major features

BRITISH STANDARD
BS 8006 : 1995
Limit state code of practice
Code of practice for
Strengthened/reinforced
soils and other fills
Use of partial factors to generate

acceptable levels of safety
Derived by calibration with existing global

factor of safety methods
Applications covered:
Ultimate limit states - collapse modes

Serviceability limit states - deformation
modes
Retaining walls
Reinforced slopes
Basal reinforced embankments
Extensive use in many countries
STANDARDS
No new information added since 1990

Instances of basal reinforced embankments

Geosynthetic reinforcement
Embankment
Soft foundation
Potential failure surface
a) Embankments over soft foundations

Embankment
Compressible
foundation
Piles
b) Piled embankments
Geosynthetic
reinforcement
Embankment
Void
Collapsed rock
Subterranean cavern
or mineshaft
c) Embankments spanning voids
BS8006 addresses three

instances of basal reinforced
embankments
over soft foundation soils
Basal reinforced piled
embankments
spanning areas of subsidence
Problems with construction of embankments over

soft foundations
Slip inst ab il ity
Em ba nkm e nt
So ft fo un da tion
a ) F o un da tion ha s in ad eq ua te s tab ility

Settle me n t at em b an kme n t
sur fa ce
Or igin al
em b ank me nt
Em b ank me nt
Sof t, c om pr ess ib le fou nd at io n
b) F ou nd atio n is com p re ssib le
Instability occurs if soft foundation has

inadequate shear strength to support the
embankment loading
A function of embankment weight and

geometry, and rate of application of load
Settlements occur due to consolidation of

the soft, compressible foundation
Not just the magnitude of settlements but

also the rate
A function of embankment weight and
foundation soil geometry
Basal reinforced embankments to enhance

embankment stability
Embankment construction to enhance stability

E m bankm ent
s ta g e c o n s tr u c te d
G e o s y n th e tic s e p a r a to r
Embankments may be constructed

by stage construction
S o ft f o u n d a t io n
Can take considerable time to

complete

with berms
a ) S ta g e c o n s tr u c tio n
G e o s y n th e tic s e p a r a to r
B e rm
E m bankm ent
B e rm
b ) B e r m c o n s tr u c tio n
E m bankm ent
G e o s y n th e tic r e in fo r c e m e n t
c ) B a s a l r e in fo r c e m e n t c o n s tr u c tio n
Can take up considerable area

with basal reinforcement
Enables maximization of
embankment height and
minimization of area
Use of woven geotextiles and,
sometimes, geogrids
Mechanics of basal reinforced embankments

on soft foundations
For unreinforced embankment,
combination of vertical and
outward shear stresses decrease
bearing capacity of foundation
For reinforced embankment:
Reinforcement resists outward
shear stresses from embankment
Reinforcement may impose
inward shear stresses on
foundation which increases
bearing capacity of foundation
Therefore;
Reinforced embankments can be
constructed higher, and/or
Reinforced embankment side
slopes can be constructed
steeper
Basal reinforced embankments - load regime in

reinforcement
Embankment
Soft foundation
Load applied to
reinforcement, T
Construction period
Tr
Time for
Shear strength of
consolidation
may be important foundation supports
embankment
Temporary reinforcement application - 1 to

10 years
Time
a) Load regime in basal reinforcement over time
Load applied to
reinforcement, T
Minimum design load

in reinforcement
Critical load point, Tr,t
Actual load carried

by reinforcement
Design life of
reinforcement
Time
b) Simplified load regime carried by basal
reinforcement for purposes of design
The load in the reinforcement increases

to a maximum during construction
Then, as the foundation consolidates the
reinforcement carries less load
When the foundation has consolidated it
carries all of the embankment load - the
reinforcement is no longer required
To simplify the load regime over time it is

common to assume constant
reinforcement design strength over the
time period it takes foundation to
consolidate
Critical load point coincides at time of
foundation consolidation
More rigorous design/analysis may
approximate more closely to actual load
regime
Basal reinforced embankments - possible

limit states
Slip within Embankment
embankment
Reinforcement
fill
Embankment
Reinforcement
Horizontal Embankment
movement
Reinforcement
of fill
Soft foundation
a) Local stability
b) Rotational stability
Embankment
Lateral
extrusion of
Reinforcement
foundation
Embankment Reinforcement
c) Lateral sliding
Embankment
Reinforcement
f) Strain in reinforcement
d) Foundation extrusion
Deep-seated
rotation
e) Overall stability
Methods of analysis of basal reinforced

embankments on soft foundations
Plasticity solutions
Quick, approximate solutions for conventional cases
Limit equilibrium methods

Slip circle analyses computer analysis
Solutions for conventional cases
Continuum methods
Finite element methods

Finite difference methods
Computer analysis require sophisticated inputs
Can model complex geometries and conditions
Basal reinforced embankments - loads carried by

geosynthetic reinforcement
Tmin
Tr,t
a) Direction of tensile load regime in embankment
In the direction across the embankment

the geosynthetic reinforcement has to
support the lateral rotational stability
In the direction along the embankment
the geosynthetic reinforcement has to
support only the stresses caused by the
embankment fill construction procedure
Geosynthetic reinforcement installed in
direction across the width of the
embankment
b) Direction of installing geosynthetic reinforcement
Adjacent lengths can either be

overlapped or sewn
No joins in this direction
Amount of overlaps depends on softness of

soil beneath geosynthetic
Sewing can only achieve a percentage of
fabric strength
Basal reinforced causeway, Deep Bay, Hong Kong
Seaward
side
Revetment
6m
Landward
side
Causeway
3m
35 m
Settlement after
Geotextile reinforcement,
consolidation
Tult = 200 kN/m
Very soft marine clay,
su = 5 - 10 kPa
Reinforced embankment - La Guardia Airport

extension, New York
End of
runway
Hydraulic fill Mirafi PET200
Previous fill
Soft organic clay
Glacial lake deposits
Basal reinforced embankments on soft

foundations - concluding remarks
The use of geosynthetic

reinforcement can be used to improve
stability of embankments constructed
on soft foundations
Reinforcement enables steeper side
slopes to be used and/or enables
embankments to be constructed
quicker and higher
The dominant reinforcement load
occurs in direction across the width of
the embankment
The reinforcement load along the

length of the embankment depends
on construction procedure
Methods of design/analysis:
Plasticity solutions enable quick

design calculations to be made
Limit equilibrium methods are most
common, but care should be taken:
when unusual geometries occur
Continuum methods (FEM and FDM)

are powerful analysis tools, however:
they require sophisticated soil
parameters
they need to accommodate large
strain models
Controlling embankment settlements and

enhancing stability
In many instances the control of

embankment settlements may not be
important as long as they are uniform
However, for transportation structures
the control of differential settlements is
important where:
There are major changes in foundation

strengths over short distances
Embankments over soft foundations abut
bridge (i.e. rigid) structures
New embankments are constructed
adjacent to old embankments
Embankment construction to control

compressibility
Surcharge
Embankment
Compressible foundation
a) Construct embankment and wait for settlement
Surcharge
Embankment
Vertical
drains
Embankments can be constructed

and then wait for settlement to occur
before completion
Compressible
foundation
Embankment
Vertical drains (PVDs) may be

inserted in the foundation to
accelerate settlement
b) Use vertical drains to accelerate settlement
Piles
c) Use foundation treatment (piling) to prevent

settlement
Surcharging can help

Reduce settlement times to 1 to 2
years
Foundation treatment to prevent

settlement from occurring
Compressible
foundation
Surcharging can help

Settlement times can be 2 to 10
years
Piling most common
Excavate the compressible

foundation soil
PVDs: types
Variety of types and components

available
Most common have geotextile filter

with extruded ribbed polymer core
Width around 100 mm

Thickness 3 mm to 5 mm
Required to transport small volumes of
water under varying confining
pressures
Drainage function (transmissivity) to
be maintained under significant
vertical deformations
Foundation consolidation causes

buckling in the PVDs
The PVD cores have been designed to
cater for this
Using PVDs to accelerate the rate of consolidation
Without PVDs:
Without PVDs
G e o s y n th e tic r e in fo r c e m e n t
S u rc h a rg e
E m bankm ent
S o f t f o u n d a t io n ,
d e p th D
F r e e d r a in in g
The rate of consolidation of the soft

foundation is directly proportional to the
vertical hydraulic conductivity kv and indirectly
proportional to the foundation depth squared,
D2
Consolidation times can take years
With PVDs:
Im p e r m e a b le s tr a tu m
With PVDs
G e o s y n t h e t ic r e in f o r c e m e n t
S o f t f o u n d a tio n ,
d e p th D
F r e e d r a in in g
The rate of consolidation of the soft

foundation is directly proportional to the radial
hydraulic conductivity kr and indirectly
proportional to the PVD spacing squared, d 2
S u rc h a rg e
Em bankm ent
P V D s ,
s p a c in g d
For natural soils, kr = 2 3 kv
Results in an accelerated increase in

foundation shear strength
Plan to have the major consolidation
complete within the construction program,
and to complete the associated structures
I m p e r m e a b le s t r a t u m
Could require extensive maintenance over time
In practice, consolidation times are reduced to

6 months to 2 yrs
Negligible maintenance required later
Effect of presence of PVDs on required

design life of reinforcement
Instantaneous loading
Reinforcement load
t0
Increasing
consolidation
rate
Shear strength of
foundation supports
embankment without
reinforcement
Time
a) Effect of increasing consolidation rate on

required reinforcement tensile load
Instantaneous loading
Reinforcement load
t0
Tma x
Construction
time
Increasing
consolidation Shear strength of
rate
foundation supports
embankment without
reinforcement
Time
b) Effect of increasing consolidation rate and a

specific embankment construction time on
maximum required reinforcement tensile load
Since PVDs accelerate the rate of

consolidation of foundation soil
the foundation supports the
embankment in a shorter period of
time
Thus, the geosynthetic
reinforcement is only required for
this shorter time period
This enables considerable
flexibility in choice of
reinforcement type
Upside-down construction when using PVDs
Geosynthetic
reinforcement
Embankment fill
Drainage
blanket
Where this can be avoided, PVDs

should not be driven through the
geosynthetic reinforcement
Best practice is to use upside-down
construction
Geotextile
separator
Soft
foundation
PVDs
geotextile separator placed on soft

foundation
drainage blanket/working platform
constructed
PVDs installed
geosynthetic reinforcement placed on
top of drainage blanket
embankment fill (and surcharge)
placed on top of geosynthetic
reinforcement
PVDs: Installation
Plan to achieve most of consolidation

during construction period (at least 80%)
PVDs installed by vibrating a hollow

mandrel into the soft foundation to the
required depth
PVDs inside the hollow mandrel
Mandrel is withdrawn (PVD remains in

the ground), PVD is cut, machine moves
to next location and process is repeated
Installation rates can be as high as 1,500
m/hr per machine
Spacings 1 m to 3 m
Consolidation times typically 6 months to
24 months
But may be lower depending on ground

conditions and location
PVDs: Installation (cont.)
PVD
Ma n d re l
PV D
a ) Dia m ond-s ha pe d m a ndre l
M an d re l
b) Re c ta ngula r-s ha pe d m a ndr el
PVD
M an d re l
c ) Circ ula r- sha pe d m a ndre l
Three different types of mandrel

used
Diamond and rectangular shape

most common
Diamond-shaped, rectangularshaped and circular-shaped
Shape minimizes soil disturbance

during installation
Circular shape used where

installation is difficult
PVDs: Installation (cont.)
To prevent the PVD rising up when the

mandrel is withdrawn, shoes are
attached to the base of the PVD
Shoes can be steel bars, flat plates or
angle plates
Special shoes have been used in special

instances
Foundation treatment, MRT depot, Singapore

4m surcharge to be removed
after 10 months
Mirafi PET 200/50 geotextile
4m
Granular fill
Marine clay
foundation
PVDs
Installation of PVDs
Installation of PVDs through working
platform/drainage blanket into soft
foundation
Foundation treatment, MRT depot, Singapore
Basal reinforced piled embankments
Embankment
Raking
piles
Large pile
caps
Piles or stone columns are used to

control settlement of embankment
Advantages:
Soft
foundation
Piles
a) Conventional piled embankment

Embankment
Small pile
caps
Geosynthetic
reinforcement
Soft
foundation
Piles
b) Basal reinforced piled embankment
Reduces or eliminates settlements in

embankments
Prevents differential settlements between
embankments and piled structures
Enables embankments to be constructed
quickly
Conventional form - piles close together

or large pile caps; also raking piles used
Reinforced form - piles at maximum
spacing for load capacity; smaller pile
caps; no raking piles
Geosynthetic reinforcement transfers
embankment loading onto pile caps
Good where differential settlements are
to be prevented, e.g. bridge abutments
Basal reinforced piled embankments applications

Geosynthetic
reinforcement
Bridge
structure
Embankment
Soft
foundation
Piles
a) Embankment approaching a piled structure

Existing
embankment
Soft
foundation
Geosynthetic
reinforcement
Embankment
widening
Building
Geosynthetic
reinforcement
Embankment
Piles
Piles
b) Embankment widening preventing differential settlements

Retaining
wall

used where it is necessary to
prevent differential settlements
Retaining
wall
Roadway
Soft
foundation
c) Embankment with vertical walls in confined area
Transition between piled and nonpiled structures

Extending extent of existing
embankments
Foundation of back-to-back retaining
walls
Reinforcement loads over time in a basal

reinforced piled embankment
Geosynthetic
reinforcement
Embankment
Pile
caps
Piles
Tr
Load applied to
reinforcement, T
End of
construction
As the embankment is loaded, tension

develops in basal reinforcement
Tension increases until equilibrium
conditions are established
Time
Reinforcement tension then remains

constant with time for full design life of
embankment
Load applied to
reinforcement, T
a) Load regime in basal reinforcement over time

Minimum design strength
of reinforcement
Critical load
point, Tr,t
Actual load carried

by reinforcement
Design
life, td
Time taken is greater than

embankment loading time
Long term reinforcement application
For design simplification a constant

design load over time is assumed
Critical load point coincides at end of
design life of piled embankment
Time
b) Simplified load carried by basal reinforcement for
purposes of design
Basal reinforced piled embankments - limit states

Reinforcement
Edge
instability
Embankment
Piles
Reinforcement
Embankment
Piles
a) Pile group capacity
b) Pile group extent
Reinforcement
Embankment
Vertical stress
profile
Horizontal
movement
of fill
Piles
Reinforcement
Embankment
Piles
c) Vertical load shedding
Reinforcement
d) Lateral sliding
Embankment
Piles
Embankment
Reinforcement
Pile caps
Piles
e) Overall stability
f) Surface deformations
Design for 6 possible limit states

Vertical load shedding & lateral
sliding govern reinforcement
strength & strain
Limiting surface deformations
may govern reinforcement
stiffness
Reinforcement loads due to embankment

arching
Embankment height, H
Embankment height, H
Pile cap width, a
Pile cap width, a
Pile spacing, s
Pile spacing, s
i) Two-dimensional representation
i) Three-dimensional representation
ii) Arching distribution within embankment fill
ii) Arching distribution within embankment fill
iii) Deformed shape of geosynthetic reinforcement

Geosynthetic load (kN/m)
500
iii) Deformed shape of geosynthetic reinforcement

Geosynthetic load (kN/m)
500
400
400
300
300
200
a/ s=0.1 a/ s=0.2
100
0
0.5
a/ s=0.5
1.0
H/s
a/ s=0.9
a/ s=0.1
a/s=0.2
200
a/ s=0.5 a/ s=0.9
100
1.5
iv) Geosynthetic load (After Kempton

et al. 1998)
a) Two-dimensional case
2.0
0.5
1.0
H/s
1.5
2.0
iv) Geosynthetic load (After Kempton

et al. 1998)
b) Three-dimensional case
Arching of embankment fill between

pile caps due to presence of stiff
piles
Amount of arching and resultant
reinforcement loads dependent on
2D or 3D pile platform layout
Modelling of embankment arching
and its effect on reinforcement loads
Analytical models
Continuum models
Use of analytical models for basal reinforced

piled embankments
1. Arching between adjacent pile caps
Embankment
H
p f
s- a
Increasing H/( s- a)
Number of 2D & 3D analytical models

available important to choose
appropriate one for particular application
Separation into two components
Arching ratio pf /sv
Determining the unarched embankment fill

loading between adjacent pile caps
Use of arching models
s/ a
2. Reinforcement supports unarched fill

pf
Trp
a
Trp
a
s
Deflected reinforcement
Determining maximum tensile load in basal

reinforcement due to unarched fill
Use of tension member deformation models
Parabolic shape most common
3D arching models BS8006:1995 & Hewlett &

Randolph (1988) methods
H
v = H
E m bankm ent
p f
s -a
P ile c a p s
S o ft
fo u n d a tio n
a
a
P ile s
A r c h in g r a t io p f / v
1 .0
v = H
A r c h in g r a tio p f / v
1 .0
v = H
H /(s -a ) = 1
0 .8
0 .8
0 .6
0 .6
H /(s -a ) = 1
H /(s -a ) = 2
H /(s -a ) = 2
H /(s -a ) = 4
0 .4
0 .2
0
0 .4
H /(s -a ) = 4
0 .2
1
H /(s -a ) = 6
5
4
s /a
a ) A r c h in g r a tio , a fte r B S 8 0 0 6 a n d L a w s o n ( 1 9 9 5 )
H /(s -a ) = 6
3
4
s /a
b ) A r c h in g r a t io , a f t e r H e w le tt & R a n d o lp h ( 1 9 8 8 )
1
Reinforcement load between pile caps analytical

methods
Tension in reinforcement T calculated
based on deflected shape
pf
Trp
Trp
a
Trp
For 3D analysis:
Ac > 1.0
BS 8006 : 1995, Ac = s/a very
conservative
Rogbeck et al. (1998), Ac = 1 + (s-a)/4a
better approximation
1
1
6
where, is strain in reinforcement
Ac is relative coverage area of

reinforcement
For 2D analysis:
Ac = 1.0
For parabolic deflected shape:
Ac s a p ' f
Parabolic shape most commonly used
To account for 2D or 3D transference of

loads through reinforcement onto pile
caps, variable Ac is applied:
s
Deflected reinforcement
rp
Trp is related to reinforcement strain :
Common to use upper long term strain

value of 6%, but maybe less depending
on reinforcement type & embankment
geometry
(
T
)
f
d
s
r
p
n
L
Tds0.()
5K
fafH
2w
H
s e0
.'5H
ta'cv
Piled embankments - embankment lateral thrust

Surcharge, ws
Embankment
Fill: g, f cv
Le
Lb
Pfill
Reinforcement
Lp
Soft foundation
Tds
Pile caps
Piles
Resulting tensile load in geosynthetic

reinforcement due to outward thrust of
embankment:
ff = 1.3 for ultimate case, =1.0 for serviceability

case
Ka = active earth pressure coefficient
carries outward thrust of
embankment
One technique for achieving
adequate bond length at edge of
embankment is to use a thrust
block along outer pile caps
For adequate bond at edge of embankment:
fn = 1.1
= bond coefficient = 0.8 (conservative)
Serviceability limits for low-height reinforced

piled embankments
Embankment
Plastic deformations at
surface due to deformations
at base of embankment
Pile caps
Piles
Geosynthetic
reinforcement
Serviceability limits according to surface

differential deformations
H/( s-a) ratio
5.0
Differential surface
deformation, ds/ D s
Ds
H
ds
Reinforcement
stiffness, J
4.0
a
ds /D s = 0.5%
3.0
2.0
ds /D s = 1%
ds /D s = 2%
1.0
s
ds /D s = 4%
0
1,000
3,000
2,000
5,000
6,000
4,000
Geosynthetic reinforcement stiffness J or Jsec6,t (kN/m)
Piled embankments - geosynthetic

reinforcement layout
Two layers of
reinforcement
Direction of
reinforcement
layout
Embankment
Individual pile caps
a) Bi-directional reinforcement layout
Single layer of
reinforcement
Direction of
reinforcement
layout
Embankment
In the direction across the

embankment the geosynthetic
reinforcement has to support the
arching load plus the embankment
lateral thrust
In the direction along the
embankment the geosynthetic
reinforcement has to support the
arching load only
Therefore, most efficient option is to
use either 2 layers (3D) or 1 layer
(2D) of uniaxial reinforcement
Connecting beams
b) Uni-directional reinforcement layout
This addresses load transference

requirements between adjacent
reinforcement
Comparison between BS8006:1995 & BS80061:2010

Arching:
Arching model
Foundation support:
Reinforcement tension:
Tension calculation
Reinforcement area
coverage
BS8006:1995
BS8006-1:2010
Positive projecting
conduits
No allowance for
foundation support
Positive projecting
conduits and
Hewlett & Randolph
method
No allowance for
foundation support
Parabolic deflection
Ac = s/a
Parabolic deflection
Ac = s/a
Trp + Trs
Tension across embankment T
rp
Tension along embankment
Serviceability:
General rules
regarding serviceability
Greater of Trp & Tds

Trp
More specific rules
regarding
serviceability
Comments
Partially into line with new
Continental Codes
Partial foundation support

allowed in certain situations in
new continental Codes
More conservative than new

continental Codes
Agrees with new continental
Codes
M74 Completion: project details
Last stage of ring motorway

around Glasgow
Project is 8.5 km in length
Continues from Fullarton
Road to M8 Motorway junction
Route comprises 4 major
grade-separated
interchanges, including a
large viaduct over 750 m in
length
M74 Completion: project details

Route crosses brownfield land
Some heavily contaminated areas
Alignment lies on southern side

of the Clyde River
Deep layers (12 - 35 m) of soft

alluvial clay
Because of tight construction

schedule, extensive use of
foundation treatment techniques
Basal reinforced embankments with

PVDs
(at bridge approaches)
M74 Completion: bridge approach embankments

At the 4 major interchanges, the 13 approach embankments have
piled foundations with basal reinforcement
Embankment heights ranged from 4 m to 12 m
Each approach embankment was designed individually in

accordance with BS8006
Various pile spacings (1.6 m to 2.2 m) & cap size (0.9 m)
Piles used were 0.275 m square concrete pre-cast piles
Various geosynthetic reinforcement strengths and extensions woven
polyester geotextiles
400 kN/m to 1,600 kN/m across the embankments
100 kN/m to 200 kN/m along the embankments
General Class 1/Class 2 granular fill used for the embankment

construction
M74 Completion: typical bridge approach

embankment section
R egulating materia l
below top of
pile caps
1
1
Zone F hig h friction

granular fill 1.5 - 2.5 m
thick
Motor way pavements

Var ie s 35 m to 40 m
2t o3
5- 9.5 m
0.9 m dia.
pile caps
C la ss 1/Class 2 fill
Max. 12 m
G eolon PET geotext il e

r einforcement
1
1
2 to 3
0.05 - 0. 15 m thic k sand
1
infil l la yer between
and above pile caps
5-9.5 m
1. 5 - 2. 5 m
Made ground
0.5 m high anchor blo ck

t o t ra nsfer rein forcement
loads
Varie s
0.275 m square concrete

pile s installe d at 1.85 m
spacings
Sof t alluvial clay

12 - 35 m
Dense sand/g lacia l till /rock
Not to scale
M74 Completion: pile caps and working

platform
M74 Completion: geotextile reinforcement

placement
M74 Completion: approach embankments fills
Conclusions
Basal reinforced embankments:
Basal reinforcement enables

embankments to be constructed to
greater heights & steeper side
slopes than conventional
embankments
Major reinforcement tensile loads
occur in direction across
embankment
Basal reinforcement can be used in
conjunction with other techniques,
e.g. surcharging, PVDs, etc.
Either plasticity solutions, limit
equilibrium or continuum methods
may be used for analysis
Continuum methods now method of
choice, especially when other
techniques are used in conjunction
Ability to cover all limit states
in one run
Basal reinforced piled

embankments:

enable embankments to be
constructed to any height at any rate
without subsequent settlement &
instability problems
Major reinforcement tensile loads
occur both across and along length
of embankment
Analytical models most common for
analysis purposes
Need to use correct model 2D or
3D
Continuum methods emerging

Ability to cover all limit states in one
run

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1 | Basal reinforced embankments according to BS8006

Basal Reinforced Embankments According to

BS 8006:1995 Major features

Limit state code of practice

Code of practice for

Use of partial factors to generate

Derived by calibration with existing global

Ultimate limit states - collapse modes

Extensive use in many countries

No new information added since 1990

Instances of basal reinforced embankments

a) Embankments over soft foundations

c) Embankments spanning voids

4 | Basal reinforced embankments according to BS8006

BS8006 addresses three

Problems with construction of embankments over

a ) F o un da tion ha s in ad eq ua te s tab ility

Sof t, c om pr ess ib le fou nd at io n

b) F ou nd atio n is com p re ssib le

Instability occurs if soft foundation has

A function of embankment weight and

Settlements occur due to consolidation of

5 | Basal reinforced embankments according to BS8006

Not just the magnitude of settlements but

Basal reinforced embankments to enhance

6 | Basal reinforced embankments according to BS8006

Embankment construction to enhance stability

Embankments may be constructed

Can take considerable time to

Embankments may be constructed

7 | Basal reinforced embankments according to BS8006

Can take up considerable area

Embankments may be constructed

Mechanics of basal reinforced embankments

8 | Basal reinforced embankments according to BS8006

Basal reinforced embankments - load regime in

Temporary reinforcement application - 1 to

a) Load regime in basal reinforcement over time

Minimum design load

Critical load point, Tr,t

Actual load carried

9 | Basal reinforced embankments according to BS8006

The load in the reinforcement increases

To simplify the load regime over time it is

Basal reinforced embankments - possible

10 | Basal reinforced embankments according to BS8006

Methods of analysis of basal reinforced

Limit equilibrium methods

Finite element methods

11 | Basal reinforced embankments according to BS8006

Basal reinforced embankments - loads carried by

a) Direction of tensile load regime in embankment

In the direction across the embankment

b) Direction of installing geosynthetic reinforcement

Adjacent lengths can either be

12 | Basal reinforced embankments according to BS8006

No joins in this direction

Amount of overlaps depends on softness of

Basal reinforced causeway, Deep Bay, Hong Kong

13 | Basal reinforced embankments according to BS8006

Reinforced embankment - La Guardia Airport

Hydraulic fill Mirafi PET200

14 | Basal reinforced embankments according to BS8006

Basal reinforced embankments on soft