TEST EMBANKMENTS FOR DESIGN PURPOSES

2.7.1 Introduction
Oiten, it is difficult to determine strength and deformation characteristics in
organic
soils by ordinary field and laboratory investigations. To establish the true
stress and strain conditions, the construction of test embankments is often a
useful
method. This is especially the case for larger projects, e.g. where stage
construction
of embankments is planned. A number of test embankments are reported in the
literature, e.g. Landva et al (1986), Chang (1981), Wolski et al (1988), Hudson et
al
(1989).
Building embankments or dykes on organic soil is in most cases mainly a deformation
problem. By some means, the main settlements must develop before the road
embankment or the dyke is put into service. However, the bearing capacity of the
soil may sometimes be a limitation. In 1989, a symposium was held in Malaysia on
soil improvement techniques for road embankments, where different soil improvement
methods were tested, (Hudson et al 1989). The aim of these test embankments
was to clarify which techniques could be useful in future construction of main
roads
in Malaysia. This is one example ofthe use of test embankments. The test
embankments
were heavily instrumented during the construction period, which is very important
for the evaluation of the test results. A number of monitoring equipments
are presented in Chapter 2.6. A disadvantage of test embankments is that they often
become expensive and time-consuming, which is the reason why they are not often
used.
Before the construction of a test embankment, it is important to clarify the
purpose
of the test and the limitations and requirements on the complete construction.
In Malaysia, for instance, it was stated that the different test embankments should
be built during the same period and in similar soil conditions. The performance
requirements on the embankments during and after construction were also clearly
stated.
In the following, examples are given of different purposes of the construction of
test embankments.
The bearing capacity of the soil can be determined, Fig. 2.40. It is then very
important to measure both horizontal and lateral deformations during construction
of the test embankment to be able to estimate the yield level. In some soils, such
as
fibrous peat, the shear strength of the soil increases fairly rapidly when the soil
consolidates under the additional load. Also the strength increase due to this
consolidation
can be measured. This means that the bearing capacity of the soil increases
and, as a consequence, stage construction can be used to improve the soil. In con74
Site Investigations
nection with beating capacity tests, the effect of loading berms or flat slopes can
be
evaluated.
Fig. 2.40. The test embankment at Antoniny after failure.
Deformation characteristics of the soil can also be clarified from test
embankments.
In particular, the influence of horizontal displacements can be measured.
Also the time-settlement curve for different layers and for the total soil deposit
can
be established. This may be important for planning the full scale project.
The effect of surcharging, unloading and vertical drains on the time-settlement
curves can be evaluated. If a certain height (level) of the top of the embankment
or
dyke is to be established and maintained, the construction method and necessary
surcharge can be obtained from the test.
The effect on both beating capacity and deformations of different improvement
techniques can be evaluated, e.g. the effect of preloading, lime columns, vertical
drains or geotextile reinforcement.
For all these purposes, a test embankment is the most realistic test of the soil.
Test Embankments for Design Purposes 75
2.7.2 Preparatory investigations
Before designing a test embankment, a preparatory investigation of the soil at
the test site must be performed. All the parameters necessary for calculating the
behaviour of the embankment with respect to the purpose of the test should be
obtained. Index properties, shear strength and deformation properties of the soil,
as
well as the groundwater situation, are normally required. Methods for use in field
and laboratory investigations are presented in Chapter 2.3-2.5 and Chapter 3
respectively.
Specially designed laboratory tests can be used, for example when a
special loading program is planned.
2.7.3 Location of the test embankment
When discussing the location of a test embankment, there are a number of aspects
to be considered; both practical and geotechnical questions that may influence
the results of the test and also the conclusions of the test. As a checklist for
consideration,
the following aspects can be noted:
9 The location should be in an area which is characteristic of the total area
revolved
in the project. The depth to firm bottom layer, the soil characteristics and
the groundwater conditions ought to be representative.
9 The test embankment should not be placed in the vicinity of existing
constructions
where the soil is already influenced by loads or construction elements, such as
piles.
9 It should be possible to drain the embankment or the ground to the same level as
for the complete construction.
9 The test embankment should not normally be placed in the area of the plalmed
construction as the soil characteristics will change under the test embankment.
Otherwise, uneven settlements will occur at the site of the test embankment in the
future.
9 Vegetation generally reinforces the surface layer of the soil. Therefore, it may
be important to avoid areas of trees and dense vegetation where the influence of
a root mat might have a disproportionate influence on the test results.
9 Finally, it may be wise to consider trafficability to the test site and the
distance to
suitable filling material and other facilities necessary for such a project.
2.7.4 Design of test embankments
In the design of a test embankment, the general concept for the main project,
such as the height of the embankment, should be followed. If there is more than one
concept for the realization ofthe project, it may be necessary to construct more
than
76 Site Investigations
one test embankment, for example when testing more than one improvement technique.
The design procedure can then follow the normal pattern of design for embankments
on soft soils. Stability and settlement analysis must be performed in order to
make reliable predictions for the behaviour of the embankment. This is important
not only to check the test results, but also to be able to foresee measures that
will be
necessary during the construction of the test embankment. Also the choice of
monitoring
equipment is influenced by the expected behaviour of the test embankment.
Some special questions are related to the use of test embankments:
9 The size of the test embankment must be large enough to be representative for
the future embankment or dyke so that the boundary conditions do not influence
the test results too much. With narrow dykes, for example, it is important to
have a test embankment which is long enough, perhaps 3-4 times the width of the
dyke. For highway embankment projects, where settlement behaviour is of major
interest, the test embankment ought to have a width of at least 5-10 m plus the
depth of the compressible layer that is of interest.
9 The working time for the different steps in construction of the test embankment
should preferably be of the same order as the time available for the corresponding
steps in construction of the full scale project. At least 80 % of the
settlements should have occurred during the test period so that the time-settlement
curves can be extrapolated. In order to obtain reformation on the secondary
settlements, it may be wise to retain the test embankment during the construction
period of the full scale project. In that way, additional measures can be taken
during the construction of the final embankment to avoid the inconvenience of
secondary settlements.
9 In the design and plalming of the test embankment, also the monitoring equipment
has to be considered so that there is enough space and time available for
installation and zero reading of the instruments.
2.7.5 Test embankment monitoring
The main idea of monitoring the test embankment is to measure those parameters
or the course of behaviour of the embankment corresponding to the purpose of the
test. In addition, extra monitoring equipment may be installed for research
purposes.
Many instruments are available for monitoring and some of these are described
in Chapter 2.6. One example of an extensively instrumented test embankment is
shown in Fig. 2.41.
The type of equipment and the location of measuring points should be thoroughly
considered in relation to the purpose of the test. In general, the accuracy of the
Test Embankments for Design Purposes 77
35m
x
y &O ~3.0 Z 3.6 ~ 3.__9 W__4.2 __~___ 116 __ %, 42 # 3.9 # 3.6 Z30 y
Note6 River I - L ~ stage 3 ~ . (~~
~ {SN, I / . ~ - P-4 staqel " ~ , , /~-~': "S S" S" "'S "S / [~ P-6 M E M !~,:! P--
1 Peat
- ' iS ~S S M S,I P-2 , ~'S *S
t -7 , I:'-5 M i M M Calcareous soil/Gyttja ~.
M MI~ I P-3 .,:t,
t Sand '
4 J L . . . . . . . . . " "~.~
3.6 3.9 4.2 11.6
35.0 m
,K 4.2 Z 3.9 3.6
~, ~.0 -4'~ 3.0
'1 I
f 4.0 X30%, 60 z
~ o . - L . - - -
LEGEND - ,t, S-settlement gauge
M-magnetic settlement gauge
--- H -hose settlement gauge
o I-inclinometer
P- BAT piezometer
Fig. 2.41. Location and type of monitoring equipment for a test embankment at
Antoniny, Poland.
78 Site Investigations
equipment should be about 10 times better than the accuracy absolutely required to
evaluate the test results. The following general recommendations can be made for
different monitoring parameters:
9 To evaluate the consolidation characteristics, settlement measurements ought
to made close to the centre of the embankment where no shear deformations
occur. The settlement distribution across the embankment can be measured with
the hose settlement gauge. If there is more than one typical soil layer, it may
be wise to install measuring points at the ground surface and at the boundaries
between the different soil layers. Reference points must be installed a long
distance
from the test embankment or be made of steel rods to firm bottom layer.
Measurements of settlements in the different soil layers in more profiles across
the embankment, and particularly under the slopes, enables a more detailed
evaluation
of the deformation process.
The horizontal displacement can be used to determine yield points of the bearing
capacity and to estimate the volume of soil pressed outside the embankment.
The latter information also enables an evaluation of initial and subsequent shear
deformations. For this reason, inclinometer pipes are often placed in the middle
of the slope where the shear deformations are greatest. Ifinclinometers are placed
also outside the embankment, the horizontal compression of the soil can be
evaluated.
To enable an evaluation of the degree of consolidation, pore pressure measurements
should be taken; preferably in the middle of typical soil layers and in the
permeable bottom layers close to the centre of the embankment. Measurements should
preferably also be made under the slope and outside the embankment area in order
to obtain a total picture of the pore pressure distribution in the soil. If the
embankment
is expected to settle so much that the original ground surface is pressed down
below the groundwater level, it is advisable also to measure the groundwater
pressure
close to the original ground surface in order to calculate the effective load.
The applied load is often calculated from the height of the embankment and
from measurements of the density of the filling material. As there are rather large
initial settlements in organic soils, it is advisable to use the thickness of the
fill
rather than the height of the embankment in this context. An even better method is
to
use total load cells on the ground surface. However, such cells must be large
enough
to indicate an average total pressure.
If the changes in soil strength or consolidation parameters are to be investigated
by in situ testing or sampling and following laboratory tests, it is advisable
to install casings on steel plates on the ground surface before construction of the
test
embankment. The main reasons for this recommendation are the lack of space
Test Embankments for Design Purposes 79
among the instruments and the limited possibilities for installing casings later in
the
fight place without disturbances.
In the case of improved soil, casings may be installed on top of a lime column or
in the centre of the spacing between vertical drains.
During the construction of a test embankment, it is important that people
responsible
for the monitoring equipment are present at the site. They can then prevent
damage to the equipment, check its operation and recalibrate it. Filling and
compaction around the equipment must be performed with extra care.
When planning the monitoring system, the interval between readings, as well as
the mode of presentation of the test results, must be considered. Not all
instruments
can be connected to automatic data acquisition systems. However, it may be valuable
for some transducers to be read automatically. In that way, the course of events
between the manual readings can be followed.
In general, readings should be taken more frequently close to changes of different
kinds; improvement, filling in different stages, unloading etc. In an ongoing
test, readings ought to be taken both before and after the change in question so
that
the effect of the change can be distinguished.
2.7.6 Construction of the test embankment
Construction of the test embankment should follow the assumed procedure for
the actual full scale project. It is advisable to contact the contractor when
planning
the test embankment construction and emphasize this point.
Furthermore, the importance of keeping the monitoring equipment operating
satisfactorily
must be stressed. Without proper measurements, the value of the embankment
test is very limited.
It is most important to follow the design of the test embankment, as deviations
will result in undesired movements and pressures.
2.7.7 Presentation of test results
In connection with the installation of monitoring equipment and the construction
of the embankment, the design drawings should be revised so that they describe the
actual construction and installation both in plan and in sections. Dates of certain
stages should be added. It should be considered that it is not possible
subsequently
to remember all the details needed for the explanation of the test results unless
they
are written down.
All measurements of settlements, pore pressures and horizontal displacements
should be related both to time and applied load. For long-term projects, it is
some80
S i t e I n v e s t i g a t i o n s
times necessary to use a logarithmic scale for the time. An example of such a
presentation
is given in Fig. 2.42.
(]} EMBANKMENT No 1.
I
I:::.-..i : '< :i- - i::. ~;.0: : ~ ~ .r zoo f
J J
!.- ~..-i ..-...;-..-:.. .: - : .-. -.: -::!- -. - ...i- - [o.-~.--.-I..-~.:-..
---.-- [oa 1-!
,1, p-', " ol"t, P.,. ~E.~T
P-3 CALC SOIL I GYTTJA [
....
; 9. . . : :: .._ ..-.-.. -..-. : -:...... =-: :....:; -.....--..:::: : . . . : . .
-.:-.-..-.:.;:...::.1-. : - . - . - . . - - . : ,-- :-. " ' - i P- 8 I ' " SAND
E 3 ~. o~
"~ ~ ~2 III STAGE
1 I I STAGE
" ~ 0 - . ,--. . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . , . . . - ~ - .
"3- 1983 198Z. 1985 1986 DATA
- ~ 40 ; ~0 2;0 ~o " ~o " 7;0 ~ 9 o o "
o 30 CL
20
100
9O
O Q_
- 8(2
70.
60
P - I
1100 TIME.DAYS
P-2
Fig. 2.42. The pore pressure dissipation in piezometers P-1 and P-2 under a test
embankment at Antoniny related both to time and applied load,
Test Embankments for Design Purposes 81
2.7.8 Analysis of test results and recommendations
The results from the test embankment should be continuously compiled and analysed
during the construction and observation period so that necessary measures can
be taken if unexpected events occur.
At the end of the observation time or the available time, the results are finally
compiled, presented and evaluated. Comparisons should also be made with the
previous
calculations both for stability and settlements.
When evaluating the bearing capacity of the ground, both vertical and horizontal
movements should be studied in an attempt to find a yield point where the
deformations
increase more than linearly with increasing load. It should be taken into
account that failures in organic soils otten are progressive. Thus, considerable
settlement
and cracking normally occur before an actual slide takes place. In fibrous
peat, there is rarely any sliding at all.
The recommendations from the stability analysis of the test results for the full
scale project may include the following:
9 increasing or decreasing the thickness of the fill totally or in different
stages.
* increasing or decreasing the time for consolidation before filling of the next
stage
. presenting a control program for pore pressure dissipation or shear strength
increase.
In the evaluation of the settlement characteristics of the ground, the degree of
consolidation at different depths should be considered as observed from the
piezometer
measurements and the bellows hose or magnetic screw settlement gauges.
In deep soil layers, primary consolidations in the middle layers continue for a
long
time while, at the same time, the upper and lower layers have reached the stage of
secondary consolidation.
The evaluation of the test results leads to a more reliable time-settlement process
with or without improvement and with eventual surcharging and unloading, depending
on the purpose and design of the test embankment.
On this basis, new recommendations can be made for the full scale project, e.g.:
9 revised conclusion of the total settlements of the embankment or dyke.
9 increasing or decreasing the necessary height of fill or surcharge to obtain a
certain level at a desired time.
9 decreasing or increasing the time for consolidation of the subsoil or decreasing
the spacing of vertical drains.
9 shortening or omitting vertical drams.
9 presenting a control program for settlement measurements.