Dr.

Yong-chai, Chang is a chief researcher of the Highway

Research C e n t e r of Korea Highway Corporation in S e o u l , Korea.

He received a P h . D . in civil e n g i n e e r i n g from C h o n n a m N a t i o n a l

University in 1 9 9 1 . He h a s studied on t r e a t m e n t . analysis of soft.

clays s i n c e his course work for d e g r e e s .

In 1994, he entered the Korea Highway Corporation and

c o n t r i b u t e d to the s e t t l e m e n t of the various problems occurred

at h i g h w a y s u n d e r construction on soft clays. He lectures civil

e n g i n e e r i n g in Korea I n s ti t u t e of Highway Technology. He p l a y s

an import.ant. role in applying EPS Construction Met.hods widely

in Korea.

In 1 9 9 5 , He h a s b e e n t.o O k a s a n Kogyo in J a p a n for a m o n t h to

learn t h e p r e - d e v e l o p e d t e c h n i q u e s of EPS c o n s t r u c ti o n . D u r i n g

the period he visited Japan highway public corporation, cpc,

Asahi Engineering a n d Fukoka Research Cent.er to collect. the

information of EPS Const.ruction Met.hods.

Dr. Chang has published more than 30 technical papers

including 7 papers about EPS C o n s t r u c ti o n Met.hods and a

technical teaching materials.

- 149 -
 EP5 TOKYO '96 Japan, 29·30 October 1996

The Numerical Analysis and Field Measurement

of EPS Embankment

Yong-chai, Chang

Chief Researcher of Geotechnical Engineering Research Division.

Highway Research Center, Korea Highway Corporation, Seoul, Korea

ABSTRACT : The EPS(Expanded Poly Styrene) construction method was applied to reduce

the deformation of soft ground at the highway in Korea. The numerical analysis using FEM

(Finite Element Method) and experimental analysis through instrument installation were

conducted to reveal the movement of the abutment and piles with EPS embankment.

When the EPS blocks were used at the construction of embankment, the settlement of the

ground and the displacement of pile under the abutment were considerably reduced as

predicted. The results of the settlement and displacement calculated from numerical analysis

were consistent with those obtained by field measurements. For the increase of the

applicability of EPS construction method, the study how to get over the difference of

settlement between EPS embankment and earth embankment at the joint is needed.

1. INTRODUCTION

The soft ground mainly consisted of silt and clay layers is wide in the west and south

coasts of Korea. Especially peat layer showing high water ratio and high organic soil ratio

is widely spreaded near Donghae highway of the east coast.

As the construction on soft ground near seashore is increased, it gets to be important how

to deal with the soft ground against the serious settlement. The construction method of EPS

was proposed as one of the solution about the settlement.

The total quantity of EPS blocks used as backfilling material in Korea since 1993 amounts
3•
to 130,000m During the construction of EPS, various measuring instruments were installed

and have been monitored. These results were compared with the values calculated by FEM.

In addition the movement of piles located under the abutments and piers according to the

amount of using EPS blocks were predicted by Modified Cam-clay model.

2. NUMERICAL ANALYSIS PROGRAM

2.1 Biot consolidation equation

A multi-purposed FEM program by which multi-dimensional consolidation behaviors can be

understood is adopted. This numerical analysis program governed by Biot consolidation

equation was coupled with Modified Cam-Clay Model and adopted beam-column element to

uncover the movements of piles under abutments and abutments themselves. Equilibrium

equation of Biot consolidation theory can be expressed as follows in the plain-strain condition.

�+ a r xy + a r xz = O
ax ay az

a r y,r + � + a r yz = O
------------------------------------------- (1)
ax ay az

a r .u a r ., y + � = Q
ax + ay s z

- 150 -
 If E x , E y, E , and r xy, r yz , r zx are the strain and shear strain of the direction of x, y,

z, respectively, these can be expressed by displacements as follows.

a u, a u, a Uy
E x = � , Y y z = ay + �

a Uy a u, a u,
E y = 8y , Y zx = Jz + � ----------------------------------------- (2)

a o, a Uy a u,
E z = az , Y x y = � + Jy

These Equations are the equilibrium equations of 3-dimensional consolidation, which is

satisfying strain conditions of soil masses. The stress-strain relationships meet Hooke's law

and the effect of excessive pore water pressure is considered, these are expressed as follows.

a ; II ( ) U

E x=E-E <J Y+ (J z + 3Ew

E y = i- i, ( <J x + <J J + 3�w ---------------------------------------- (3)

a , II ( ) U

E z=E-E <J x+ <J Y + 3Ew

t yz r XY E
Yyz=c· r XY = c • G = 2 ( 1 + 11 )

Where, Ew : elastic constant related to the pore water pressure

u : pore water pressure

11 : Poisson's ratio

2.2. Modified Cam-Clay model

This constitutive equation of modified Cam-clay model is connected the dispersive energies

with the stress-strain relationships by plastic incremental theory in critical state, as is called

critical state energy theory. Energy dw consumed during the deformation of clay is

expressed as the sum of increment of plastic volumetric strain dv" and strain increment of

plastic volume d E P_

dw = pdv" + qd E P ---------------------------------------------------- (4)

In the critical state, q/p = M so, this is,

dw = pdv" + Mpd E P -------------------------------------------------- (5)

and, there is only shear strain in the critical state, therefore,

dw = Mpd E P ------------------------------------------------------- (6)

Supposing energy consumed during the shear deformation of clay is independent of

volumetric strain, this equation is as follows.

2 2
dw = pJ ( d v D ) + (M d e D ) ---------------------------------------- (7)

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 3. FIELD APPLICATION OF EPS EMBANKMENT

3.1 Lateral displacement of abutments

As embankment is loaded on the soft clayey ground, the stress applied to the ground is

increased and then pore water pressure is increased. This pressure causes the lateral

movement and deformation of the abutments. Generally, the deformations occurred in clayey

ground are classified into instant shear deformation with loading and time dependent

consolidation. It is considered that the former is more related to the deformations of

abutments.

3.2 Present conditions

Field tests to know the applicability of EPS embankment were conducted in the southern

coastal highway which had the high possibility of lateral deformation. EPS blocks were used

as backfill material of the bridge abutment. The summary of test construction in this study

is listed at Table 3.1

Table 3.1 Field summary

EPS EPS
Bridge size Geometry
block block Constructi

I\
length width height length width
construct construct on period

(L) (W) (H) slope slope

amount height

Abut 2 120m 18.5m 9.715m 0.6.57% -2.0% 2.285m' 5.2m '94.8.29-

9.31

The highway route map of Korea is showed in Fig. 3.1 f injungchun bridge to which test
construction of EPS is applied is located between Hadong and East Kwangyang, in Fig. 3.1,

Fig. 3.2 shows the cross-section of EPS block.

Fig. 3.1 The highway route map of Korea.

- 152 -
 s = t : 2 0 0

4 0 00

-- , r ti "' · , · ti ... -�- J

/ ../ 'v '
'

.fiM.I

ti '4 '2'

2(,000

Fig. 3.2 Cross-section of EPS block

3.3 Ground investigation

The strata of the test ground divided into surface layer, sediment layer, residual soil layer

and weathered rock according to the component and thickness. (Table 3.2)

Table 3.2 The ground characteristics of test constructed bridge

Elevation(m) Thickness Soil type N-value

3.2- -1.8 5.0 Borrowed material 25

-1.8- -11.4 9.6 Silty clay 2-4

-11.4--13.8 2.4 Granite 50

3.4 Soft ground improvement

Sand drains were constructed on the ground with 3 x 3 space. Sand drain method was

introduced as a ground improvement method to accelerate the settlement of this soft ground.

After the preloaded 2nd stage embankment whose height was 8.7 - 9.37m was removed, EPS
embankment was applied.

4. FEM FOR COUNTERMEASURE OF ABUTMENT DEFORMATION

4.1 Cross section for analysis

FEM was used to interpret the settlement of the ground. Field tests were conducted at

Iinjungchun bridge in south coastal highway. The total load of EPS embankment was 2.016

t · m and that of earth embankment (include pavement loading) was 16.4 t · m. The loading

was conducted according 5 steps for 780 days, which are <0.0002, 2.0), (0,0004, 3.0), (0.0008,

3.0), (1.0, 3.4) and (1.0146, 5.0) t/m. (EPS embankment load, earth embankment load
respectively)

It was assumed as the boundary conditions for numerical calculation that the bottom and

both sides were fixed and undrained while the upper boundary was free and drained with

plain-strain condition. Dimensions of concerned ground model are 13m depth, 90m length,

and abutment and pier were set up. Total number of element are 198, 238 nodal points and

beam element to predict behavior of piles have 12 elements and 14 nodal points. In analysis,

steel piles used for abutment were transformed to equivalent steel sheet pile wall as follows.

� = 508mm, <Diameter of steel pile using this abutment pile)

2
E = 2.1 x 107t/m (E of equivalent steel sheet pile wall)
4 4
I = 2.2 x 10- m (I of equivalent steel sheet pile wall)

The values which predicted the steel pile behavior were worthy data to know the physical

tendency, though the method which corrected the errors had much questions. As sand drains

- 153 -
had already been adopted for ground improvement during the construction, the ground with

sand drains by 3.0m space were considered in this calculations, and their cross section is as

Fig. 4.1

r; "
I I I I

I I 1 1
I I 1 1
31ton -I I 3 1 1 o n .;. J

I
1 1
I Free boundary (Dratnage]
211 (0.0..)

.. 198
... I
11 (ll.5ffl)
CIS
165
i::
ll1 (Z.S,,,)
·;

..
132
e
13 (5.o.n)

�
CIS
99
-e
i:: " (7.0m)
::,

..
Q
66

lS (10.0m)
-e
.. 33 Z5 z 3 l
"'
� I (IJ-'imj
um
42.m

90m

Fixed boundary (Drainace)

Fig. 4.1 Meshes used for FEM

Input parameter used in analysis are listed at Table 4.1

Table 4.1 Input parameters

,1 M Ca Go µ a
K vc Koc

S . D 0.0 0.0 38.0 0.0 2.50.0 0.2.5 2.0 0.5

Clay 0.28 0.028 1.5 0.0 93.0 0.33 15.3 0.5

a vc Ko eo rt Vo ,1 k Kxo Kyo

1 1
S . D 2.0 0.5 0.8 1 . 85 0.0 0.0 o.1x10- o.1x10-

5 5 5
Clay 15.3 0.5 1.1 1.65 o.1x10- 0.5 0.lXl0- 0.!XlQ-

4.2 Results of analysis

4.2.1 Settlement investigation

The real amounts of settlement were measured by instruments. Which were compared

with the calculated results from FEM. The depth which EPS embankment was applied was

1.5 times of the soft ground depth in this area. Fig. 4.2 and 4.3 shows that the calculated

values are consistent with real values in both sections.

Numerical analysis was also conducted in case EPS block was used at total embankment

including piers and abutments. EPS block was applied to the 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 times the

depth of the soft ground from the abutment backfill area. Compared with the settlement

resulted from earth embankment, the settlement resulted from EPS embankment was reduced

considerably in Fig. 4.4. The former amount was 5.0cm, the later 50cm at the final loading

step. This shows that load reduction contributes to the decrease of settlement of surface.

Though the settlements of the 1st and 3rd loading steps are similar phase to the final steps,

their magnitudes were smaller.

Furthermore, in case EPS block were used with ratio of soft ground, plotting results of

only final step is as Fig. 4.5, overall tendency is similar, but settlement phase increase

gradually from the abutment backfill area to embankment as using EPS blocks. From above

results, load reduction effect of EPS blocks on the soft ground is clear.

- 154 -
 16.4 (Vnr2)

11.4

8.0

E
-2-

c
Q.)
-20.0
E
� -40.0
a,
CJ)
-60.0

-80.0
.. ,,_..,,.,

-100.0

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

Time (day)

Fig. 4.2 Load-settlement curve <Embankment)

2 . 0 1 6 (Vm"2)

1.0014

0.0014

E.P.SS� (5.8 cm)

• F.E.M

_. ObMN�

-1 o o _i"T"""T"""T""T-.-r-r--r-r-r-,--,-,,,1 ,,.-,--r;rr:rrrrrnnTI,--:rrrl
1

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

Time (day)

Fig. 4.3 Load-settlement curve (EPS l

40.0 �------------------,

20.0

Embankment ( 0 . 8 1 , 2.49 cm)

(0.0, 0 . 9 1 cm)
.-
0.0
E
�
..... -20.0 tll•ft- . uHd El'!• r., D
c W1t-•d: non-uHd EPS

(l)

E LOAD STtP
(l) -40.0
IE.P.S • 1.5 0, 0.0 DI

:t::: () 1•1Sttp

(l)
6 ltd Step
(/) -60.0
Q SlhSl"P

• 191$1ep

A J<dSlei,
-80.0
• 51hStep

-100.0

0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0

Horizontal Distance ( m )

Fig. 4.4 Horizontal distance-settlement curve Ooadstep).

- 155 -
 40.0

20.0

0.0
E
�
.... -20.0
c
Q)

E
Q) -40.0 E.P.S LENGTH

( ..,_,... lh• Embeni I

:s::
• f.P.S•OOO
Q)

(/) -60.0 • f.P.5•050

6 f.P.5•1.00

• f. PS• 1.50

-80.0 • E.P.5•2.00

-100.0

0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0

Horizontal Distance (m)

Fig. 4.5 Horizontal distance-settlement curve (EPS length).

4.2.2 Displacement of pile under the embankment

If it is supposed that the lateral displacement of pile under the abutment is equal to that of

abutment, it can be analyzed under the plain-strain condition. When EPS block was filled to

the 1.5 times as distance as depth the soft ground (EPS=l.5D), the lateral displacement of

abutment was 1.2cm, while EPS block was not used (EPS=O.OD), it was 5.8cm. This result

tells that overburden has an much effect on the lateral movement of abutment and EPS

embankment can restrain the lateral movement of abutment (Fig. 4.6, Fig. 4.7). In the

displacement profile of pile under pier which stands 30cm apart from the abutment, a

slowdown point exists. Nevertheless, maximum lateral displacement is 0.89cm for EPS=O.OD

and 0.16cm for EPS=l.5D, which shows the same result in that the lateral displacement for

EPS=O.OD is five times as large as that for EPS=l.5D. This says if pier is so close to

embankment, lateral flow pressure acts on the pier as well as abutment.

-5.0 -5.0

I E

..r: ..r:
0.. 0..
(l)
(l)

0 0

-10.0 -10.0

ABUTMENT l
... �
• e ... , . 0 . 0 0
• f: " 6 • 0 0 0 1

+ (J•.&•050
f. " & • o , o I

.&. I!...... , 00
• t:... 5 • 1 0 0 !

•
•

0.0 4.0 8.0 0.0 0.5 1.0

Lateral Displacement (cm) Pile, Lateral Displacement (cm)

Fig. 4.6 Pile, Lateral Disp. (Abutment) Fig. 4.7 Pile, Lateral Disp. (Pier)

- 156 -
4.2.3 Moment of pile under abutment

Only displacement of pile was analyzed in the previous section, but in here, moment

distribution of pile by overburden and lateral load is to be investigated. The moment acting

on the pile was ?:1.8 t · m for EPS = 0.00 and 9.8 t · m for EPS=l.50. In addition, the

moment of above pier was 1.8 t · m for EPS=0.00 and 0.37 t · m for EPS= 1.50. The moment

acting on the pile was reduced remarkably as it was parted away from the loading body

(Fig. 4.8, Fig. 4.9).

·5.00 -5.00

PIER
:[ :[
E.P.S • 0.0 0
s:
Q.
s:
Q.
• E.P.S • 0.5 D

Q) Q) • E P.S • t.0 D
Cl Cl •
E.P.S • 1.S O

• E.P.S • 2 . 0 0

-10.00 -10.00 •

-15.00 -+-,-,--,--,-,......,...-,-,......,...-,-,,--,-,t-.-r.-.--1

-10.00 0.00 10.00 -2.00 -1.00 0.00 1.00

-30.00 -20.00 -3.00

Pile, Bending Moment (t.m) Pile, Bending Moment (t.m)

Fig. 4.8 Pile, Bending moment (Abutment) Fig. 4.9 Pile, Bending moment (Pier)

5. FIELD INSTRUMENTATION ANALYSIS

The kind of embedded instruments and its cross-section used m investigation are as Fig. 5.L

:.
0

E:J s,... l""tnmc>t (EAi

CJ Hor-pre.

'
Y..--pre.
0
!
..;
@l c::J
. � h
.6 P . lf . P . l
'

CJ
�-
I �

- -� - - - � --
J G S.tUe. l

-•
'

= El Hor-dui>. l
i I

I
I Inell.no. 1
I

e Groui,d If. 1
-�

ICeep caq
ij 1

�I ..

@8

S.1• 5.l•

Fig. 5.1 Instrument setting section

- 157 -
5.1 Lateral Pressuremeter

After attaching at the wall of abutment with the order of installation of banking and EPS

block, the equipments are laid under the ground.

According to the lateral pressure measurement at the field, the stress in the upper area of
2
EPS block is 0.5t/m , the stress in the lower area of banking is about l.5t/nl The stress m

the lower area of banking was three times as great as the stress in the upper EPS block. It

is judged that the structure is stable against the displacement because the lateral pressure
2
occurring at the backfill soils by installing the EPS block at the soils doesn't exceed 0.5t/m

(Fig. 5.2)

5.2 Vertical Pressuremeter

Vertical pressuremeters are installed to find the vertical pressure distribution with the

variation of soil layers when surcharge load is applied to the EPS block. In addition the

variation of stress from the bottom of the abutment to the top of concrete slab and the load

which acts on EPS blocks are observed.

According to the results of the measurement, stress acting on concrete slab decreases from
2 2
2.4t/m at the upper area to l.15t/m at the lower area. Judging from this the dispersion

effect of stress at concrete layer was noticeable. The transmitting load to the bottom of

EPS block was 0.2tlm·. This value makes it possible to say that EPS construction method

contributes to the global stability of soils (Fig. 5.3).

5.3 Piezometer

Piezometer measures the excess pore pressure which is used to estimate the stability of

soils after the banking. Piezometers are installed at the E.L. -6.0m of the EPS area of

Abut-1 and at the E.L -7.0m of the EPS area of Abut-2(A) and at the section of earth

work of Abut-2(B).

The excess pore pressures of the Abut-1 became stable after showing the value of less
2. 2
than 2.0t/m In case of the Abut-2(B) the pressure abruptly rose near 5.0t/m on August 14,

1995, for landslide occurred at the neighboring area of earth work. After that time the

pressures became stable (Fig. 5.4).

5.4 Extensometer

To find the shape of settlement between EPS block and banking area, extensometers are

installed at the EPS area, between EPS and banking, and banking area. The immediate

settlement caused by the compaction the EPS blocks after loading the pavement was about

1%, which was within the elastic range. The settlement of earth work area which was 73cm

brought about the settlement of joint area with the EPS block. It is needed to design this

joint area with a sufficient slope to minimize the settlement (see Fig. 4.3).

·��--------------,

g
c:
0
H . PRESSURE
v. PRESSURE
�
� 94'10
> --,,....- 94'10
Cl)
--1r-- 94' 11

w ---- 94' 11

--
- 95'1 - 9 5 ' 1

-.. - 95·9 � 95'8

I . ' . ,

H - Pressure (tlm"2) V - Pressure (t/m"2)

Fig. 5.2 Horizontal earth pressure Fig. 5.3 Vertical earth pressure

- 158 -
 Fig. 5.4 Pore water pressure

6. CONCLUSION

The displacement of an abutment on the soft ground can be suppressed by EPS

embankment. The results of a numerical analysis using finite element method and field

instrumentation are summarized as follows.

1) When EPS block was applied to the distance which is 1.5 times of the soft ground depth

from the abutment backfill area, the amount of settlement calculated by numerical analysis is

consistent with that by field measurement.

2) The settlement of an abutment with EPS=O.OD was ten times greater than the settlement

of an abutment with EPS=l.50 at the backfill area.

3) The displacement of a pile under an abutment with EPS=O.OD was 5 times greater than

that with EPS=l.50, which showed that the lateral flow pressure could be occurred because

of the load at the backfill area of an abutment.

2
4) As the stress of a leveling concrete on the upper EPS block was 1.8 t/m at the surface
2
of a concrete slab and 0.6 t/m at the bottom of concrete slab, the distribution effect of the

upper leveling concrete on EPS block was superior.

5) A further investigation how to reduce the difference of settlement discrepancy between

earth embankment and EPS block embankment at the joint is needed.

- 159 -
 REFERENCE

1. Y. C. Chang., "Stress Distribution of Finite Multi-layered Soils", Chonnam Nat'

Univ. The Paper of Docter Degree. 1991.

2. Y. C. Chang., "A Case Study on EPS Construction Method at Se-Chang J/C in Korea" Int.

Syrnp. on the Application of EPS Form for Embankment Construction/June. Seoul, Korea,

1994.

3. Y. C. Chang., "A case study on EPS Construction in Abutment Backfill" The Eighth

Conference of Road Engineering Association of Asia and Australasia. Taipei, ROC, 1995.

4. Y. C. Chang., "A Case Study on EPS Construction Method at Se-Chang J/C in Treatment

method for Abutment Displacement of Soft Foundation". Int. Seminar on the Application of

EPS for Embankment Construction. Seoul, Korea, 1994

5. Y. C. Chang., "A Study on EPS Construction Method ( ID ) " , Korea Highway Coporation

Highway Research lab, 1995.

6. J. S. Chung., "A Study on Lateral Movement of Piled Bridge Abutment in Soft Foundation

under Embankment", Chonnam Nat' Univ. The Paper of Master Degree. 1995.

7. Korea Highway Corporation, "The Method of Load Design", 1992.

8. EOO, "Expanded Poly-Styrol Construction Method", 1993.

9. Harada Tomoyoshi., "The Construction of Highway Banking used in xpanded Poly-Styrol",

The Foundation & Equipment, Vol.22,No 10, 1994.

10. Abe Masashi., "EPS Construction Method", The Foundation & Equipment, Vol.22,No 10,

1994.

11. Frydenlund,T.E., "Expanded Polystyrene - A Lighter Way Across Soft Ground -, Int.

Report, 1986.

12. NRRL, "The use of plastic foam in road embankments", Norwegian Road Research

Laboratory, Int report no 1191., 1984.

13. Tavenas, F., "Lateral displacements in clay foundations under embankments",

Canadian Geotechnical Journal 16, 1979.

- 160 -