Analysis of tensile force in reinforced cushion and pressure at bottom of soft soil foundation embankment based on centrifugal model tests

Three groups of soft soil foundation embankment centrifugal model tests, separately with different types of cushion were designed to master the effect of reinforced cushion on the pressure at the bottom of embankment and the tensile force in reinforced cushion. Test results show as follows. (1) With the enhancement of reinforced cushion's structural performance, the pressure at the center of embankment bottom decreases gradually and the distribution of the pressure at the bottom of embankment changes from convex curve which is large in the middle section but small at the two ends to concave curve which is small in the middle section and large at the two ends. (2) With the reduce of reinforced cushion's structural performance, embankment changes from quiescent stable state to active limit state. (3) With the increase of embankment load, foundation changes from elastic state to elastoplastic state and up to plastic state. the distribution of tensile force in reinforced cushion changes from the shape of saddle with two peak to the shape of parabola with one peak.