Field test of geosynthetic-reinforced floating pile-supported embankments on soft soil

This study conducted field tests on geosynthetic-reinforced floating pile-supported embankments to evaluate the load transfer mechanism and embankment deformation during embankment construction. Vertical pressures on pile caps and subsoils between piles, geosynthetic strains, settlement of pile caps and subsoils between piles, and settlement of the embankment at different elevations were measured throughout the embankment construction. Test results showed that the maximum settlement of the pile cap was approximately 66% of subsoils between the piles. Due to the large settlement of the floating piles, the soil arching was not significantly mobilized. The geosynthetic reinforcement exhibited a maximum tensile strain of 0.2% at the end of embankment construction, indicating a mobilization of low tensioned membrane effect. The predicted equal settlement heights at adjacent piles center and the diagonal pile center were close with an average value of approximately 1.23 times the pile net spacing. The measured vertical pressures on subsoil between piles were compared with calculated results using available analytical models from the literature. The analytical models underestimated the vertical pressures on the subsoils between piles, while the modified Terzaghi's model showed better agreement with the measured results than other analytical models.