Seismic assessment of soil arching in a pile-supported embankment: numerical analysis

Pile-supported embankments offer viable solutions for railroad construction on soft soil, boasting rapid construction while minimising differential settlements. Within these embankments, the soil arching mechanism plays a crucial role in transferring load from the subsoil to the pile head. To date, numerous finite element method (FEM)-based studies and model tests have explored soil arching under static and traffic-induced cyclic loading conditions. However, the dynamic behaviour of soil arching within these embankments during a seismic event remains uncharted territory.

This paper delves into the dynamic behaviour of soil arching in a pile-supported embankment during a seismic event, employing two-dimensional (2D) plain strain numerical analysis. The findings of the numerical analysis demonstrate the profound influence of earthquakes on soil arching. It is evident that the geosynthetic-reinforced embankment provides a feasible solution for a sustainable and resilient railroad infrastructure in seismically active regions.