Finite element analysis in geotechnical engineering Application David M. Potts and Lidija Zdravkovi¢é Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine With contributions from: Trevor |. Addenbrooke Kelvin G. Higgins Nebojsa Kovaéevié — *L' ThomasTelfordPublished by Thomas Telford Publishing, Thomas Telford Ltd, 1 Heron Quay, London E14 4)D. URL: http:/www.thomastelford.com Distributors for Thomas Telford books are USA: ASCE Press, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Reston, VA 20191-4400, USA Japan: Maruzen Co. Ltd, Book Department, 3-10 Nihonbashi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103 Australia: DA Books and Journals, 648 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham 3132, Victoria First published 2001 Also available from Thomas Telford Books Finite element analysis in geotechnical engineering: theory. ISBN 0 7277 2753 2 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN: 0 7277 2783 4 © David M. Potts and Lidija Zdravkovié, and Thomas Telford Limited, 2001 All rights, including translation, reserved, Except as permitted by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publishing Director, Thomas Telford Publishing, Thomas Telford Ltd, 1 Heron Quay, London E14 4D, This book is published on the understanding that the author are solely responsible for the statements made and opinions expressed in it and that its publication does not necessarily imply that such statements and/or opinions are or reflect the views or opinions of the publishers. While every effort has been made to ensure that the statements made and the opinions expressed in this publication provide a safe and accurate guide, no liability or responsibility can be accepted in this respect by the authors or publishers.Contents Preface Authorship Acknowledgements 1. Obtaining geotechnical parameters 1.1 Synopsis 1.2 Introduction 1.3 Laboratory tests 2.1 Synopsis ioe Introduction 13.2 Oedometer test aepaa: Triaxial test 13.4 ‘True triaxial test 13.5 Direct shear test 1.3.6 Simple shear test io Ring shear test 1.3.8 Hollow cylinder test 13.9 Directional shear cell 1.3.10 Geophysical techniques aul Permeameters 1.4 In-situ tests 14.1 Introduction 1.42 Standard penetration test (SPT) 1.4.3 Cone penetration test (CPT) 1.4.4 Pressuremeter testing 1.4.5 The plate loading test 1.4.6 Pumping tests 1.5 Summary 2. Tunnels 2.2 Introduction 2.3. Tunnel constructionii / Finite element analysis in geotechnical engineering: Application 2.3.1 Introduction 23.2 Open faced shield tunnelling 2.3.3. Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM), including slurry shields and Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) tunnelling 2.3.4 The sprayed concrete lining (SCL) method 23.5 Ground response to tunnel construction 2.4 Simulation of the construction process 24.1 Introduction ae Setting up the initial conditions aa Important boundary conditions 24.4 Modelling tunnel excavation 2.4.5 Modelling the tunnel lining 2.5 Modelling time dependent behaviour 2.5.1 Introduction 2.5.2 Setting up the initial conditions 2.5.3. Hydraulic boundary conditions 2.5.4 Permeability models 2.5.5 A parametric study of the effect of permeable and impermeable tunnel linings 2.6 — Choice of soil model 2.6.1 Introduction 26.2 Results from a parametric study 2.6.3 Devices for improving the surface settlement prediction 2.7 Interaction analysis 27.1 The influence of building stiffness on tunnel-induced ground movements 2.7.2. The Treasury building - a case study 2.73 Twin tunnel interaction 2.8 Summary 3. Earth retaining structures 3.1 Synopsis 3.2 Introduction 3.3 Types of retaining structure 3.3.1 Introduction 3.3.2 Gravity walls ae Reinforced/anchored earth wall 3.3.4 Embedded walls 3.4 General considerations 3.4.1 Introduction 3.42 Symmetry 3.43 Geometry of the finite element model 3.44 Support systems3.5 3.6 ae 3.8 Contents / iii 3.4.5 Choice of constitutive models 3.4.5.1 Structural components 3.4.5.2 Soil 3.4.6 Initial ground conditions 3.4.6.1 General 3.4.6.2 ‘Greenfield’ conditions 3.4.6.3 Modified initial soil stresses 3.4.7 Construction method and programme 3.4.7.1 General 3.4.7.2 Construction method 3 Time related movements 4 Ground water control 3.4. Gravity walls 3.5.1 Introduction 3.5.2 Earth pressure due to compaction 3.5.3 Finite element analysis Reinforced earth walls aot Introduction 3.6.2 Finite element analysis Embedded walls 3.7.1 Introduction. 3.7.2 Installation effects 3.7.2.1 General 3.7.2.2. Field measurements 3.7.2.3 Analysis 3.7.2.4 Comments 3.7.3. Modelling of walls 3.7.3.1 Element type 3.7.3.2 Wall stiffness 3.7.3.3 Interface behaviour 3.7.3.4 Wall permeability 3.7.4 Support systems 3.7.4.1 Introduction 3.7.4.2 Support stiffness 3.7.4.3 Connection details 3.7.4.4 — Active support systems 3.7.4.5 Berms 3.7.4.6 Ground anchors 3.7.4.7 _ Relieving slabs 3.7.5 Long term behaviour and post construction effects 3.7.6 Adjacent structures Summary Appendix III.1iv / Finite element analysis in geotechnical engineering: Application 4, Cut slopes 4.1 Synopsis 4.2 Introduction 4.3. ‘Non-softening’ analyses 43.1 Introduction 43.2 Cut slopes in stiff ‘non-softening’ clay 4.3.2.1 Introduction 43.2.2 — Soil parameters 4.3.2.3 Finite element analyses 4.3.24 — Results of analyses 43.3. Cutslopes in soft clay 4.3.3.1 Introduction 43.3.2 — Soil parameters 4.3.3.3. Finite element analyses 43.3.4 — Results of analyses 4.4 Progressive failure 4.5 ‘Softening’ analyses 4.5.1 Introduction 4.5.2 Choice of constitutive model 4.5.3. Implications for convergence 4.5.4 Cut slopes in London Clay 4.5.4.1 Introduction 4.5.42 — Soil parameters 4.5.4.3 Finite element analyses 4.5.4.4 — Results of a typical analysis 4.5.4.5 Effect of coefficient of earth pressure at rest 4.5.4.6 — Effect of surface boundary suction Effect of slope geometry Effect of surface cracking Effect of subsequent changes to slope geometry 4.5.4.10 Further discussion 4.6 Construction of cut slope under water 4.7 Summary Embankments 5.1 Synopsis 5.2 Introduction 5.3 Finite element analysis of rockfill dams 53.1 Introduction 5.3.2 Typical stress paths 5.3.3 Choice of constitutive models 5.3.3.1 Linear elastic analysis 158 162 163 166 166 166 167 167 168 1695.4 ae oo 53.5 5.3.6 Contents / v “Power law’ models Hyperbolic model K-G model Elasto-plastic models Layered analysis, stiffness of the simulated layer and compaction stresses Example: Analysis of Roadford dam 5.3.5.1 Introduction Material parameters Finite element analysis Comparison with observations Example: Analysis of old puddle clay core dams Introduction Dale Dyke dam Ramsden dam Finite element analysis of earth embankments Introduction Modelling of earthfill Example: Road embankments on London Clay oat 5.5.2 5.5.3 5.5.4 5.5.5 5.5.6 Introduction Material properties Finite element analyis Example: Failure of Carsington embankment 5.4.4.6 Finite element analysis of embankments on soft clay Introduction Material parameters and soil model used Finite element analysis Original Carsington section Effect of the core geometry on progressive failure Effect of berm in improving the stability Introduction Typical soil conditions Choice of constitutive model Modelling soil reinforcement Example: Effect of a surface crust 5.5.5.1 5.5.5.2 5.5.5.3 5.5.5.4 Introduction Soil conditions Finite element analysis Results Example: Effect of reinforcement 5.5.6.1 Introduction Soil conditions Results 169 170 171 171 ie 175 ee] 175 7 179 180 180 181 183 185 185 186 186 186 187 188 189 189, 190 191 191 192 ae 194 195 196 198 198 198 199 200 200 200 201vi / Finite element analysis in geotechnical engineering: Application 5.6 oo Summary Example: Staged construction 5.5.7.1 Introduction 5.5.7.2 Soil conditions 5.5.7.3 Finite element analysis 5.5.7.4 Results Example: Effect of anisotropic soil behaviour 5.5.8.1 Introduction 5.5.8.2 Geometry 5.5.8.3 Soil conditions 5.5.8.4 Finite element analysis 5.5.8.5 Results 6. Shallow foundations Synopsis Introduction Foundation types 63.1 6.3.2 Surface foundations Shallow foundations Choice of soil model Finite element analysis of surface foundations 6.5.1 652 oo 6.5.4 6.5.5 65.6 Introduction Flexible foundations Rigid foundations Examples of vertical loading 6.5.4.1 Introduction Strip footings on undrained clay Effect of footing shape on the bearing capacity of undrained clay 6.5.4.4 Strip footings on weightless drained soil 6.5.4.5 Strip footings on a drained soil 6.5.4.6 Circular footings on a weightless drained soil 6.5.4.7 Circular footings on a drained soil Undrained bearing capacity of non-homogeneous clay 6.5.5.1 Introduction 6.5.5.2 Constitutive model 6.5.5.3 Geometry and boundary conditions 6.5.5.4 Failure mechanisms Undrained bearing capacity of pre-loaded strip foundations on clay 6.5.6.1 Introduction 6.5.6.2 Constitutive model 223 227 230 ae 233 234 236 236 238 238 239