Prediction of settlement by using finite element simulation 2D program at Seksyen 7,

Shah Alam
Zakiah Razak, Mazidah Mukri, and Nur Aisyah Kasim

Citation: AIP Conference Proceedings 1875, 030004 (2017); doi: 10.1063/1.4998375

View online: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4998375
View Table of Contents: http://aip.scitation.org/toc/apc/1875/1
Published by the American Institute of Physics

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AIP Conference Proceedings 1875, 030003 (2017); 10.1063/1.4998374
Prediction of Settlement by Using Finite Element Simulation
2D Program at Seksyen 7, Shah Alam

Zakiah Razak1, a), Mazidah Mukri2, b) and NurAisyah Kasim1, c)

1
Master candidate in Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, MARA University of Technology,41450
Shah Alam, MALAYSIA
2
Senior Lecturer, Department of Geotechnical and Transport, Faculty of Civil Engineering, MARA University of
Technology,41450 Shah Alam, MALAYSIA

a)
Corresponding author: zakiah_razak@pkns.gov.my
b)
ce_mazidah@yahoo.com
c)
echa_601@yahoo.com

Abstract. Construction on soft ground often involves a number of geotechnical issues especially that related to settlements.
Excessive post-construction settlements may they be total or differential have always caused serious problem to all parties in the
project. Insufficient knowledge on existing ground conditions due to lacking of a proper site investigation coupled with
inadequacy in design especially in the foundation for supporting structure could be the likely reasons for causing this problem
and lead to eventual instability of the structure above. In general, a reasonably accurate assessment on the rate of settlement of
soil is a very important factor in ensuring the achievement of structurally sound building and/or infrastructural work on soft
ground without the development of excessive post–construction settlement. In the current investigation, sensitivity analysis to
enhance prediction of settlement is carried out using the PLAXIS Finite Element 2D Program by setting the relevant control
parameters. This would allow post-construction settlement be predicted during the pre-construction stage be predicted. It is
believed that this is useful in assisting the design engineer in arriving at a satisfactory solution subsequently.

INTRODUCTION

Construction of embankment over soft compressible soils usually resulted in the development of significant
settlement of subgrade and hence the newly constructed structures above including embankment and building
platforms above it. In the case of normal consolidated and marginally over-consolidated clays as foundation soil,
consolidation settlement is normally the major contributor of vertical deformation of embankment. In general,
apart from immediate settlement that took place during construction, the total consolidated settlement of the
ground consists of primary and secondary settlements[1]. In the current study, the theoretical settlement results of
underlained soft clay caused by the construction of embankment for Jalan Plumbum in Seksyen 7 of Shah Alam
are obtained via finite element analysis using PLAXIS 2D [2] software. These theoretically predicted results will
then be compared with their corresponding field-measured results to verify the validity of the overall theoretical
model so formulated and the appropriateness of various parameters used in the theoretical formulation.

International Conference on Applied Physics and Engineering (ICAPE2016)

AIP Conf. Proc. 1875, 030004-1–030004-10; doi: 10.1063/1.4998375
Published by AIP Publishing. 978-0-7354-1555-3/$30.00

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 SCOPE OF STUDY

The focus of the present study is to analyse in order to provide a valid theoretical model suitable for the production
or reliable prediction of settlement in the compressible soft soil layers underlained the newly constructed
geotechnical structures. Prior to this, a review through a collation on soil data available from soil investigation
reports is carried out before a desktop study ensued in order for relevant information pertaining to subsoil condition
in existence at the site under investigation be established. Then from borehole results acquired an evaluation on
consolidated settlements is made based on finite element method using computer software. Parallel with it, actual
settlements occurred at the site monitored via settlement markers are obtained to facilitate a comparison with their
corresponding predicted values obtained theoretically. Finally, a relationship between these two sets of consolidated
settlement results, i.e. those theoretically predicted and those observed via monitoring, would be established.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Construction over soft clay often entail many geotechnical issues especially settlement which always give rise to
serious concern to all parties concerned. The housing development project at Jalan Plumbum Seksyen 7, a joint
development by Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) and PCM BINA Sdn. Bhd. Backfilling
earthworks were started in 2002 Construction started completed in 2003 and received its Certificate of Fitness (CF)
in 2005. In the year 2006, the residents started to complain about damages in their buildings. Upon investigation, it
was found that the houses and its infrastructures in the area have suffered considerable damage caused by the soil
settlement. As reported by the Project Manager from PKNS despite all design criteria and specification for sub-
structure are complied with excessive settlement in ground still occur.

SITE GEOLOGY

Based on the Geological Map of Pelabuhan Kelang and Kelang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, New Series L7010 Sheet
93, published in 2011 by Director- General of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia, the site is underlained by Kenny
Hill Formation. The Kenny Hill Formation was reported to have formed during Carboniferous age and generally
consists of quartzite, phyllite and schist with minor intercalations of limestone (marble). The overburden materials
on the other hand are comprised of sandy SILT and silty SAND that derived from schist, phyllite and quartzite.

SUBSOIL CONDITIONS

Soil investigation (S.I) carried out recently revealed the subsoil strata beneath generally consist of a layer of
backfilled soil material varying between 1.0m to 3.5m thick. However, the original subsoil, generally comprises of
very soft to soft silty CLAY or clayey SILT with traces of sand and gravel. The SPT’s ‘N’ values, on the other hand,
vary from 0 to 4 as depth increases from 9m to 15m below ground level. Beyond that, hard sandy/gravelly SILT or
medium stiff to very stiff sandy/gravelly clay layer are encountered. All boreholes were terminated in hard layer or
siltstone bedrock with SPT-N value of 50 with penetration less than 300mm.

SETTLEMENT ANALYSES

In the current investigation, PLAXIS, a numerical modeling computer software based on finite element
method (FEM) with beams and struts its most common construction elements for 2-Dimensional (2-D) and 3-
Dimensional (3-D) geotechnical analysis for deformation including settlement and stability of soil structures like
slope etc. (Brinkgreve and Broere, 2006) is employed to simulate the current ground settlement analysis.

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 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter will present the results obtained from the analysis based on data derived from the site.

Basic Soil Properties

From soil classification tests and Atterberg Limits tests carried out in the laboratory the subsoil at site
consists of SILT and CLAY material in accordance to ‘British Soil Classification System for Engineering Purpose’
(BSCS). The average unit weight for the soft clayey soil is14.0 kN/m³ approximately.

In addition, as can be seen in the plasticity chart shown in Figure 1,for very soft and soft materials with SPT’s
‘N’ value ≤ 4 and Liquid Limits (LL) ranges between 50% and 112%, the fine-grained Silty & Clayey soils
generally possess high to extremely high plasticity index (PI) values which tend to scatter widely and varies between
22% to 72%. The plasticity chart for subsoil with SPT-N value > 4 is shown in Figure 2. With Liquid Limit (LL)
values range from 29% to 96% and Plasticity Indices vary between 4 to 59% the Plasticity Index (PI) of the same
fine-grained soils are seen to show even wider spread that their PI varies from low to extremely high plasticity.

Ground Water Level

In this study, water depths measured in the bore holes below ground level (bgl) were determined every morning
before the commencement of the drilling work during soil investigation stage and in the evening before the work
stop for the day. The ground water level detected during this period lied generally at around 3m below ground level
i.e. Reduced Level (RL) = 8.0m)

Figure 1. Plasticity Chart (SPT-N value ≤ 4)

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 Figure 2. Plasticity Chart Soils with SPT-N value >4

Consolidation Parameters
To examine ground settlement and building cracks problem developed therefrom, the consolidation
parameters of cohesive soil in existence are determined and where possible be examined by the results obtained
from one-dimensional consolidation tests, i.e. Oedometer test, carried out.

In Figure 3 the relationship of Over Consolidation Ratio (OCR) versus depth is shown. The figure shows
that the subsoil near ground surface is subjected to a high pre-consolidation pressure (Pc) which, however, will
reduce gradually with depth.
Prior to carrying out independent settlement analysis, the following parameters have to be first defined

1. The Compression Ratio, CR = CC /(1+e0)

Where Cc = Compression index

e0 = Initial void ratio

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 2. The Recompression Ratio, RR = Cr (1+e0)

Where Cr = Recompression Index

The Overconsolidation Ratio vs depth (i.e. OCR vs d) relationship and Re-compression Ration versus depth,
(i.e. RR vs d) relationship for soils whose SPT’s N values d 4 obtained are shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5,
respectively. It is felt that these results would produce reasonably good estimation of predicted settlements when
compared with actual ground settlements or depth of void observed below slab observed at the project site.

Monitoring of Ground Settlements via Settlement Markers Installed

Parallel to theoretical prediction on settlements that might produce, instrumentation at the site under
investigation was also carried out by installing settlement markers to monitor actual displacement took place on
monthly basis. The settlement-time correlations acquired between 16 February and 14 December 2015 are
summarized and shown pictorially in Figure 6. Furthermore, based on the readings taken during the same period,
ground settlement contours are also plotted and showed in Figure 7. However, it was found that the ground
settlement rate for April 2015 increased suddenly. After careful consideration of surrounding conditions and events,
it is believed that this was due to improper temporary excavation works carried out at adjacent construction site
which caused the partition wall along the southern boundary to collapse.

Causes of Settlement
The imposed load derived from the earth backfilling works carried out during the earthworks stage in year 2002
with thickness varied from about 1.0m to 3.5m had generated extra pressure and excess pore water pressure within
the underlying soft cohesive subsoils. As expected, soil settlement occurred upon dissipation of excess pore water
pressure. However, owing to low permeability characteristic of existing soft cohesive materials below the building
platform, the consolidation settlement process is expected to take a very long duration to complete fully.
Furthermore, as there was no ground treatment work being carried out on the building platform itself, ground
settlement of the building platform has occurred unceasingly since the commencement of earthworks operation in
2002. Besides, additional load imposed on the building platform due to e.g. extension structures have further
aggravated the settlements.

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Figure 3. Overconsolidation Ratio (OCR) vs Depth Relationship ( SPT’s N value ≤ 4)

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Figure 4. Compression Ratio (CR) vs bgl Depth (d) Relationship
(for SPT-N value of soil ≤ 4)

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Figure 5. Re-Compression Ratio (SPT-N value ≤ 4)

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Figure 6. Correlation between settlement and time at Jalan Plumbum

Figure 7. Ground Settlement Contour in Layout

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 CONCLUSION

Referring to the analyses carried out, the results showedthe ground settlement was generally caused byback
filling works carried out without any ground treatment being applied to the soft subsooil lied beneath the building
platform. Accordingly, the cracks developed along the connection between the suspended and non-suspended
structures of the building were caused by consolidated settlements occurred on the untreated building platform.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to express my thousands of thank you to my supervisor Dr Mazidah Mukri that gave me a lot
of advises, information, encouragement, criticisms and support me to finish this research. Without her guidance, I
may not complete this research. In additional, thank you to all parties who always be supportive and help me to
complete this research.

REFERENCES
1. Anon.‘British Soil Classification System for Engineering Purpose’ (BSCS).
2. Arulrajah, A., & Bo, M. W. (2010). Finite element modeling of soft soil treated with prefabricated vedrtical
drains. International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 165- 179.
3. Balasubramaniam, A. S., Cai, H., Zhu, D., Surarak, C., & Oh, E. N. (2010). Settlement of Embankments in
Soft Soils. Geotechnical Engineering Journal of the SEAGS & AGSSEA.
4. Brinkgreve, R., Broere, W., &Watterman, D. (2006). PLAXIS Manual 2D – Version 8. Netherlands: Delft
University Chin, T.Y. (2005). Embankment over Soft Clay-Design and Construction Control. Kuala
Lumpur.
5. Look, B. G. (2007). Soil Strength Parameters from Classification and Testing. In Handbook of
Geotechnical Investigation and Design Tables (p. 79). London, UK: Taylor & Francis/ Balkema
6. Lu, X. (2009). Research on estimation model of post construction settlement for soft. In Rock and Soill
Mechanics (pp. 20919-2095). 30(7)

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