Investigação numérica da Influência do atrito no contato geossintético-capitel em aterros estaqueados reforçados

Abstract

The construction of geotechnical structures over soft soils faces two main challenges: minimizing differential settlements and ensuring the overall slope stability. In this context, reinforced or structured piled embankments emerge as an effective solution, significantly reducing deformations at the structure's top, transferring most of the loads to a more resistant subsoil, and offering a faster and more streamlined construction process. In these structures, the load distribution is divided into three main components: the loads applied to the foundation soil, which cause deformations at the embankment base and redistribute forces; the loads directly supported by the piles due to soil arching; and the stresses absorbed by the geosynthetic reinforcement as a result of the membrane effect. To better understand this soil-structure interaction, it is essential to evaluate the impact of interface parameters on the system's behavior. Based on this, finite element modeling (FEM) was conducted using the Plaxis 2D software, with two representative models of a piled embankment spacing. The models considered square pile caps measuring 1 meter and 2 meters, and slope heights ranging from 0.25 to 6 meters. The analysis included varying the friction angle at the reinforcement-pile cap interface, with values of 45°, 30°, 20°, 10°, and 5°. The results confirmed the soil arching theory, showing a reduction in stresses within the reinforcement and an increase in deformations at the center of the free span as the interface friction angle decreased.