Response observation of a full-scale geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported system to environmental actions

The collected field data from well-instrumented reinforced embankments in the framework of a real project for the extension of the inner-city area at HafenCity in Hamburg is used to study the effect of environmental changes on the load transfer process over the structure lifetime. A particular focus is put to improve the understanding of the load transfer mechanism from the soil embankment to pile foundations through the reinforced geosynthetic layer and to investigate the corresponding long-term settlements. The time-dependent stress and strain distribution of the reinforced load transfer platform has been focused to investigate the process of soil arching on top of the piles and examine the overall settlement of the embankment. Finally, the most common available prediction models in European design guidelines are applied to estimate the loads on structural components and the results are compared with the measurements.