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Mechanism of horizontal soil arching and its effects on soil responses in saturated clay
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DOI：10.1007/s11440-026-03146-8.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
In real-world geotechnical engineering applications such as multi-strutted deep excavations, the lack of prompt support for newly excavated faces could lead to horizontal soil arching phenomenon. However, very limited studies have been focused on the horizontal arching effect in clay. This study systematically investigates the development mechanism of horizontal soil arching in saturated clay and its effects on soil responses through centrifugal model test and numerical simulations. The findings reveal that with increasing displacement of the trap door, ground settlement exhibits a concave trough-shaped profile. Soil displacement is primarily horizontal, exhibiting a triangular distribution with peak values proximal to the trap door, whereas vertical displacement typically manifests as settlement above the trap door and heave below it. Negative excess pore water pressure develops in front of the trap door, while positive excess pore pressure arises near its edges. The presence of horizontal soil arching leads to a reduction in lateral earth pressure at the trap door and an increase in stress within the adjacent soil, resulting in the formation of distinct loose and soil arching zones. The study also finds that soil displacement serves as the primary mechanism initiating horizontal soil arching. Following the horizontal trap door’s movement, the soil behind is displaced toward the trap door, driven by horizontal stress forces. Concurrently, shear strains progressively develop along the upper and lower edges of the trap door. Within a distance of one trap door height in front of the trap door, the soil undergoes significant horizontal displacement, delineating a triangular region. This zone is characterized by pronounced stress relief, which subsequently propagates along its upper and lower triangular boundaries, thereby disrupting the local stress equilibrium. As a result, under vertical loading, the soil along the upper boundary experiences settlement, leading to the formation of a vertical soil arch. Conversely, under unloading conditions, the soil along the lower boundary exhibits rebound and heaving behavior, resulting in the development of a reverse vertical soil arch. This displacement-driven mechanism culminates in the formation of horizontal soil arching. These results contribute novel theoretical insights for the analysis of soil–structure interactions influenced by horizontal soil arching effects in clay.
Keywords:
Centrifugal model test
Horizontal soil arching effect
Lateral earth pressure
Numerical simulation
Pore water pressure
Soil–structure interaction
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