Numerical evaluation of stability and deformability of earth embankment structure by replacing weak soil on weak foundations

A pressing issue for the railway industry is to enhance the stability and reduce the deformability of earth embankment structures constructed on weak foundations using the method of replacing weak soil. The authors determined the width of the weak soil at the base, requiring replacement, taking into account the requirements for deformability indicators that ensure the specified geometric parameters of the earth embankment under various soil foundation conditions. The numerical modeling was based on established theoretical principles in accordance with the sequence of construction stages for a high-speed railway line on weak foundations using the geotechnical software Plaxis 2D. By considering and evaluating different thicknesses of the weak soil layer to be replaced, the authors constructed a graph of the dependence of deformation on the principal stress at the point of plastic deformation development, and determined the value of the stable safety factor. The research made it possible to propose a numerical method for determining the slope stability coefficient. Analysis of current regulatory documents and calculation methods for earth structures on weak soils has confirmed the need to refine existing calculation methods

numerical assessment, strength, deformability, stability coefficient, slope stability, earth embankment, weak clay soils, road construction, high-speed railway, Plaxis 2D