Load transfer mechanism of reinforced piled embankments

A series of centrifuge tests was performed at the IFSTTAR centrifuge on piled embankments with basal geosynthetic reinforcement. The objectives of these studies were to assess the influence of pile spacing, embankment height, pile cap size and number of layers of geosynthetic and stiffness on the load transfer mechanism. Preliminary tests studied the influence of the level of pretension on the geosynthetic as well as the number of layers of geosynthetic, one or two adequately spaced. The measurements of the forces on the piles made it possible to assess the load transfer mechanisms, and then 100% efficiency was achieved in most tests performed.