Research Activities: 2012
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Reliability-based Optimization Design of Geosynthetic Reinforced Road Embankment |
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| Status | Complete View Final Report: PDF |
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| Sequential Number | R353 | ||||
| Identification Number | 00042706 | ||||
| Matching Research Agency |
Missouri University of Science and Technology |
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| Principal Investigator |
Ronaldo Luna |
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| Student Involvement |
One graduate student |
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| Project Objective | To develop reliability-based algorithms with the fundamental mathematics and statistics that account for the spatial soil property variability. This will optimize the design of roadway embankments including geosynthetic inclusions in the embankment fill. |
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| Project Abstract | Road embankment is normally a large structure, the construction of which requires for large amounts of soil normally of good quality. In order to limit costs, the utilization of geosynthetic in road embankment allows for construction of steep slopes up to 80 - 85 degrees, which can save vast amounts of fill soil and land take compared to a traditional unreinforced one. It then requires for a stability analysis regarding the geosynthetic reinforced slope, which is highly depending on the selection and properties of geosynthetic including the tensile strength, transfer efficiency, length and number of geosynthetic layers placed in embankment, etc. To minimize costs, the optimization design is necessary to select an optimal combination of those design parameters. In this study, the reliability-based optimization (RBO) will be implemented on the basis of reliability-based probabilistic slope stability analysis considering the variability of soil properties. RBO intends to minimize the cost involved in geosynthetic reinforced road embankment design while satisfying all technical requirements. The limit equilibrium method will be embedded to compute the factor of safety (FS), meanwhile, the MPP-based first-order reliability method (FORM) will be performed to determine the probability of failure (pf). The cost is assumed as a function of design parameters: the number of geosynthetic layers, embedded length, and the tensile strength of geosynthetic. Coupling with the reliability assessment and some other technical constraints, the combination of design parameters can be optimized for a minimum cost. |
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Relationship to other Research/Projects |
This project is a seed type project to other applications in civil infrastructure, such as dams, levees, and roadways embankment. The introduction of spatial statistics in the 2D design of the critical cross-section of a reinforced earth structure is new and a true contribution to the state of the art in geotechnical engineering. Many other national and international researchers are trying similar approaches. |
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Transportation-Related Keywords |
Embankments, slopes, reinforced, reliability-based | ||||
Technology Transfer Activities |
Delivery of presentations in technical conferences, which involve manufactures, engineers and researchers. Such as, ASCE GeoInstitute and |
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Project Deliverables |
The mathematical constructs, algorithm and code will be available in both written report format and syntax and, as necessary. Matlab *.m scripts will also be available. |
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Anticipated Benefits |
This tool will allow DOTs to design using a reliability-based procedure |
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Milestones |
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