Settlement and drainage analysis of the Franeker bridge embankments, the Netherlands

In this paper a case-based consolidation analysis of one cross-section of bridge embankments in Franeker, the Netherlands is presented. Consolidation coefficients (c_v), final primary settlements and the duration of these settlements are re-calculated from the monitored time-settlement data using the simple approach outlined in this paper and are compared to the pre-design values deduced based on laboratory and field site investigation. Use of the case-based data is made to overcome uncertainties in preliminary design input parameters. In this case the uncertainties mainly concern changes in settlement parameters after partial drainage of the soft clayey and peat foundation soil layers, and the soil volume affected by drainage. Although reasonable design predictions by conventional consolidation analysis could be made of the settlements at the end of the construction period, final settlement and duration were overestimated. The paper also presents monitored drainage data and demonstrates that the calculations of drainage quantities improve if separate volumes proportional to the various embankment stages are used.