Ultimate Load-Bearing Capacity of Rigid Two-Way Pavements Placed on Geosynthetic-Supported Soil Embankment

Abstract

This study investigates the ultimate load-bearing capacity of rigid two-way concrete pavements placed on conventional and reinforced soil embankments using upper-bound limit analysis (UBLA). In the presence of the median strip, upper-bound solutions of rigid pavements resting on reinforced embankments did not draw much attention from previous researchers. Therefore, a rigorous UBLA is performed, adopting the multi-block failure mechanism for the intended purpose. The true upper-bound solution is achieved by satisfying the conditions of geometric compatibility and kinematic admissibility. The effects of the proximity of dual carriageways and embankment slopes on the load-bearing capacity of pavements are expressed in relation to interaction factors. The critical spacing beyond which the proximity effect ceases to exist is estimated for different slope angles of the embankment. A parametric investigation is performed to understand the influence of various soil parameters, embankment geometry, and layers of reinforcement. A notable improvement in the performance of two closely spaced rigid pavements can be observed by providing additional layers of reinforcement. The current outcomes are sensible and match well with the existing investigations.