Centrifuge modeling of the progressive failure of geosynthetic-reinforced embankments

Understanding the failure mechanism of geosynthetic-reinforced embankments on soft foundations is crucial for ensuring safety in design. This study aimed to investigate the failure mechanism and stability of embankments reinforced with varying layers and lengths of geosynthetic reinforcements utilizing centrifuge testing and numerical modeling. The results show that a foundation under construction exhibits a progressive shear failure coupled with a tensile failure of the geosynthetic reinforcement. The plastic shear strain in the soft clay layer initiates at the centerline, shoulder and the embankment toe and propagates both forward and backward until a critical slip surface develops. The tensile failure of the geosynthetic was observed at the embankment center. Comparatively, implementing two shorter layers of geosynthetics proved more advantageous for overall stability than using a single layer with the entire length. By analyzing the strain distribution in the foundation, the deformation modes of the embankment reinforced by different numbers of geosynthetic layers were clarified. It found that increasing the number of geosynthetic layers extended the active shear zone in soft clay.