An approximate method for estimating the stability of geotextile-reinforced embankments

A method of estimating the short-term stability of reinforced embankments constructed on a deposit that can be idealized as being uniform and purely cohesive is described. This approach maintains the simplicity of conventional limit equilibrium techniques while incorporating the effect of soil–geotextile interaction in terms of an allowable compatible strain for the geotextile. This allowable compatible strain may be deduced from a design chart and depends on the foundation stiffness, the embankment geometry, the depth of the deposit, and the critical height of an unreinforced embankment. The procedure is checked against finite element results and against one published case history. Key words: embankment, geotextile, analysis, limit equilibrium, finite element, soft clay, shear strength, soil reinforcement.