Geo-E2020

Numerical Methods in Geotechnics L

Wojciech Soowski
Embankment 1
Today

Parameter Name Clay Peat Sand Unit

Material model Model MC MC MC -
Type of behaviour Type Undrained A Undrained A Drained -
Soil unit weight above unsat 15 8 16 kN/m3
phreatic level
Soil unit weight below sat 18 11 20 kN/m3
phreatic level
Horizontal permeability kx 110-4 210-3 1.0 m/day
Vertical permeability ky 110-4 110-3 1.0 m/day
Young's modulus E 1000 350 3000 kN/m2
Poisson's ratio ' 0.33 0.35 0.3 -
Cohesion cref 5.0 7.0 1.0 kN/m2
Friction angle 24 20 30
Dilatancy angle 0.0 0.0 0.0

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Today

4
Today

5
Today

6
Today
Water level at
ground level.
Assumed that
dense sand ==
rock

Parameter Name Clay Peat Sand Unit

(embankment)
Material model Model MC MC MC -
Type of behaviour Type Undrained A Undrained A Drained -
Soil unit weight above unsat 15 8 16 kN/m3
phreatic level
Soil unit weight below sat 18 11 20 kN/m3
phreatic level
Horizontal permeability kx 110-4 210-3 1.0 m/day
Vertical permeability ky 110-4 110-3 1.0 m/day
Young's modulus E 1000 350 3000 kN/m2
Poisson's ratio ' 0.33 0.35 0.3 -
Cohesion cref 5.0 7.0 1.0 kN/m2
Friction angle 24 20 30
Dilatancy angle 0.0 0.0 0.0

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To do:
1. Consolidation analysis for the problem (pore pressures,
consolidation in time, displacements, pore pressures in point A & B)

- assume consolidation finished when excess pore pressures below

1kPa

2. Safety factor analysis (phi c reduction) in each phase

3. Extra: Influence of mesh update due to large strains, as well as

adaptive meshing etc.

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Results

Figure 7. Excess pore pressure contours after consolidation to Pexcess < 1.0 kN/m2
(calculation phase 4)

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Results: safety (phi c reduction)

Failure mode

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Grading: report part 1
1. Replicating shown results in Plaxis for the embankment 70%
2. Report quality: introduction, conclusions, explanation of results - 20%
3. Replicating large displacement analysis 10%
4. Mesh sensitivity study extra 15%
5. Replicating results in Optum extra 45%

Total max is 160%, anything above 100% will be reduced to 100%

This will be followed by Embankment 2 on next exercise where

reinforced embankment is solved. Solution of this embankment and the
reinforced one should be included in a single report. The score for the
report will be the average of both scores.

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Thank you