Monitoring of an instrumented geosynthetic-reinforced piled embankment with a triangular pile configuration

A comprehensive monitoring programme was undertaken at a geosynthetic-reinforced piled embankment over soft ground to better understand its time-dependent performance. The programme involved continuous monitoring of earth pressure, axial force in piles, settlement of structural elements, lateral movement of subsoil, and geogrid tensile strain of the instrumented system. Earth pressure measurements evidenced the mobilization of soil arching; pile efficacies were derived from established analytical methods and assessed against observed data for piles with circular cap configuration arranged in a triangular pattern, with the Concentric Arches model giving the best predictions. The development of axial load in piles can be properly captured by a regression equation with analytical approach. Penetration and compression behaviours of structural elements were evaluated by settlement measurement on piles and soils at ground level relative to pile toe or substratum. The proposed approach in obtaining tensile force of geogrid was verified with the measured differential-settlement data.