Discrete Element Simulation Study of Multi-Layered Reinforced Geotextile Treatment of Karst Collapse

Abstract

AbstractThe use of multi-layered reinforced geotextile to treat karst collapse can reduce the buried range of geotextiles, so as to achieve the purpose of saving project costs. In order to investigate the impact of varying layers of geotextile on the mitigation of collapses in karst regions, this study establishes a Discrete Element Particle Flow Code 2D (PFC2D) model for geotextile treatment with different layer configurations. The analysis in this research encompasses several critical aspects, including the top vertical settlement of soil, variations in tensile forces experienced by the first layer (bottom layer) of geotextile with changes in the position of the settlement plate, and the distribution of tensile forces across different horizontal positions within each layer of geotextile. The findings indicate the following trends: as the number of reinforced geotextile layers increases, there is an overall reduction in the vertical settlement of the soil. When employing multiple layers of geotextile, the first layer (bottom layer) experiences the highest tensile forces. Furthermore, as the number of reinforced geotextile layers increases, there is a general decrease in the tensile forces acting on the first layer (bottom layer).