Full-scale experiment and numerical studies on vertical impact characteristics of reinforced embankment

Reinforced embankments offer advantages including reduced settlement, environmental friendliness and substantial protection against rockfall hazards. However, current research primarily focuses on the impact response of the upstream facing of reinforced embankments against rockfalls, while neglecting the influence of vertical rockfall impacts on embankment design and analysis. This study investigates deformation characteristics and load transfer mechanisms of reinforced embankment under vertical rockfall impacts through a full-scale experiment. Furthermore, based on the full-scale experiment, a validated numerical model was developed, enabling a parametric analysis of the effects of reinforcement cross-sectional configurations, rock shapes, impact energy and impact points on embankment performance. The findings indicate that reinforced embankments exhibit excellent impact resistance, exhibiting two distinct deformation patterns upon impact that are primarily influenced by impact point, impact energy and reinforcement cross-sectional configuration. Rockfalls with smaller aspect ratios tend to achieve greater penetration depths while causing limited disturbance to the embankment. When maintaining equivalent aspect ratios, flatter rock geometries generate stronger impact forces and cause more significant damage to the embankment structure. The insights from this study provide a basis for verifying and improving the current impact-resistance design of reinforced embankments, offering significant implications for enhancing the safety and functionality of such structures.