Header menu link for other important links
X
Numerical modelling of geosynthetic-reinforced unpaved roads using FLAC 2D
G.N. Goud, S. Mouli,
Published in Korean Geosynthetics Society
2018
Volume: 2
   
Pages: 1166 - 1175
Abstract
Assessment of pavement performance is typically carried out by field trails, large-scale laboratory experiments, and numerical modelling. In this study, a numerical model of unpaved road constructed with competent and marginal aggregate bases over soft subgrade with and without reinforcement (planar) under plain-strain condition was developed using two-dimensional explicit finite difference program - Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua (FLAC2D). Base layer and subgrade soil were modelled by continuum zones following Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion and the reinforcement was modelled as structural element cable. The mesh size and the maximum unbalanced force ratio were selected based on convergence and computational time to obtain the solution. Large-strain mode was activated in the study so that the coordinates of the grid points were updated at the end of every cycle. A series of numerical simulations were conducted in displacement-controlled mode for different properties of base layer and subgrade soil to assess the effectiveness of the reinforcement. The improvement in reinforcing base layer was presented in terms of load improvement factor, the normal stress transferred at the subgrade layer, and settlement at the surface. In addition, the axial force and axial strain mobilized in the reinforcement was also presented. The effectiveness of the reinforcement was found to be significant for settlement ratios beyond 4%. Copyright © 11th Inter. Conf. on Geos. 2018, ICG 2018. All rights reserved.
About the journal
Journal11th International Conference on Geosynthetics 2018, ICG 2018
PublisherKorean Geosynthetics Society