Differential settlements in foundations under embankment load: Theoretical model and experimental verification

To research and analyze the differential settlements of foundations specifically, site investigations of existing railways and metro were firstly carried out. Then, the centrifugal test was used to observe differential settlements in different position between foundations on the basis of investigation. The theoretical model was established according to the stress diffusion method and Fourier method to establish an analytical solution of embankment differential settlement between different foundations. Finally, theoretical values and experimental values were analyzed comparatively. The research results show that both in horizontal and vertical directions, evident differential settlement exists in a limited area on both sides of the vertical interface between different foundations. The foundation with larger elastic modulus can transfer more additional stress and cause relatively less settlement. Differential settlement value decreases as the distance to vertical interface decreases. In the vertical direction of foundation, mass differential settlement also exists on both sides of the vertical interface and foundation with larger elastic modulus can transfer more additional stress. With the increase of relative modulus of different foundations, foundation with lower elastic modulus has larger settlement. Meanwhile, differential settlement is more obvious. The main error sources in theoretical and experimental values include: (a) different load form; (b) foundation characteristics differences; (c) modulus conversion; (d) effect of soil internal friction.