ABSTRACT
A piled embankment and a structure on piles have different dynamic stiffness’s, which may lead to differential settlement under dynamic loading. To minimise this, a transitional approach slab may be used, comparable to the approach slabs of a viaduct. The piled embankment is built up against the structure and should be terminated with a wrapped-back reinforcement layer. This solution carries the minor risk that excess aggregate material may escape from the reinforced embankment which could lead to subsidence in the road surface. The extent to which the transition between a piled and a conventional embankment presents a problem depends on the relative settlement that is still to occur in the conventional embankment. Techniques to ensure the transition between the two types of embankment occurs ‘smoothly’ are: gradually drive the piles to less depth, install an approach slab on the last row of piles, regular maintenance to compensate differential settlements, and reduce relative settlement of the transition embankment.
