Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Prestressed Geosynthetic-Reinforced Embankment Subjected to Traffic Loading

Differential settlement is the most intuitive embodiment of the safety of an embankment near the junction of above soft and hard subgrade. The prestressed geosynthetic-reinforced embankment (GRE) was implemented to avoid excessive settlement disasters. The settlement resistance of the prestressed GRE was explored by experimental and numerical investigation. The laboratory model test of the GRE with and without prestress under the traffic load was presented. The results are shown that there is larger stress diffusion range and faster stress attenuation along the depth direction of the GRE with prestress than that without prestress. In comparison with the GRE, the differential settlement of the prestressed GRE was smaller by about 38%–53% of the decreasing percentage range. Moreover, based on numerical test results and gray correlation analysis, the influence and susceptibility of the prestress value and the prestressed member spacing on the settlement control capability of the prestressed GRE were also investigated. It was found that reducing the member spacing has a positive impact on avoiding settlement disasters, and increasing prestress also can significantly control settlements. The spacing of prestressed members is more sensitive to the settlement resistance of prestressed GRE than the prestress value. It is of practical significance, considering the obvious settlement resistance, to apply the prestressed GRE to mountainous areas with potential excessive settlement hazards.