Rohan Dutta
Independent Researcher
India
Abstract
This study investigates the performance of geotextiles in enhancing the stability of road embankments constructed over soft subgrades. A series of laboratory and numerical simulations were conducted to evaluate the bearing capacity, deformation characteristics, and pore-water pressure dissipation with and without geotextile reinforcement. Test embankments were instrumented to measure settlement, lateral displacement, and pore-water pressure under incremental loading up to 200 kPa. Numerical analyses using a finite element soil-structure interaction model in PLAXIS 2D simulated identical conditions to verify experimental findings. Results indicate that inclusion of a nonwoven polyester geotextile layer at the embankment-subgrade interface reduced settlement by up to 35 % and increased factor of safety against bearing failure by 20 % compared to unreinforced embankments. Statistical analysis of measured settlements and computed stability factors confirms the significant benefit of geotextile reinforcement. The study provides design recommendations for optimal geotextile placement and properties to maximize embankment stability on weak soils.
Keywords
Geotextile, Road embankment stability, Soft subgrade, Finite element simulation, Settlement reduction
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