Research on the Load Transfer Law of Cross-Sections of Pile-Supported Reinforced Embankments Based on the Finite Element Method

Combining field test research with finite element numerical analysis, this paper studies the mechanical behavior of pile-supported reinforced embankments in soft soil areas. We analyze and compare the variation law of load transfer efficacy at the subgrade center, the right side of the centerline, and the road shoulder; the variations of the load sharing ratios of the soil arching effect and the load sharing ratios of the membrane effect; and the load variation law of wide subgrade cross-sections. Then, the model calculation results are compared with the calculation results of the five theoretical methods and the applicability of the various methods is evaluated. The results show that: increasing the pile length, pile cap width, and embankment height and reducing the pile spacing will increase the pile load transfer efficacy; pile cap width has the greatest influence on the load transfer efficacy; regarding the variation law of the load sharing ratios of subgrade cross-sections, the load-sharing ratio of the soil arch effect at the shoulder is smaller than that at the center of the subgrade, indicating that the deformation of the geogrid at the shoulder is large and the membrane effect is significant; and, regarding the load variation law of subgrade cross-sections, from the subgrade center to the shoulder direction, the pile load transfer efficacy decreases gradually and the load transfer efficacy at the shoulder decreases significantly.