Quantitative performance evaluation of GRPE: a full-scale modeling approach

The quantitative performance of a geosynthetic-reinforced piled embankment (GRPE) and an unreinforced piled embankment were compared using two full-scale experiments. During the installation of the fill, the measured pile efficacy increased until the soil arching was fully developed. Subsequently, the case with the geosynthetic reinforcement (GR) showed a more stable arching mechanism than the case without GR. In both cases, the measured pile efficacy showed good agreement with the values calculated using three existing soil arching theories. The geotextile reinforcement increased the measured pile efficacy by 18% at the final height of the embankment.