Monitoring the Deformation of Earth-Reinforce Gypseous Embankment Model

Abstract—Gypseous soil was compacted to 95 % of its maximum dry density in six layers in the metal box with the dimensions of (50 x 50 x 30) cm and each layer is of 5 cm thickness to form a control embankment model and subjected to vertical stress. The vertical and lateral deformations of the embankment model were monitored until failure. Another embankment model was constructed using aluminum reinforcing strips spread at five layers of the embankment height and laid at equal spaces between each of them. The vertical and lateral deformations were also monitored until failure. It was observed that the reinforced embankment model exhibits lower vertical deformation of 40 % as compared with the control embankment. On the other hand, the lateral deformation at the third and fifth embankment layers declined by (36.8 and 76.7) % respectively when the earth reinforcements were implemented. However, the lateral deformation at the fifth layer was (66.6 and 50.5) % lower than that at the third layer for reinforced and control embankment models respectively. It was concluded that the earth reinforcement can better sustain the vertical stresses applied on the embankment surface by 336 % as compared with the control embankment. KEYWORDS: Embankment, model, vertical and lateral deformation, stress, reinforced earth.