Abstract
In general, the safety of soil construction is evaluated by the integration of mechanical factors, but their factors are considered to be dealt with as an uncertainty problem, because thay are not decided by a deterministic method.
In this paper, the safety of embankment on soft ground was examined as an uncertainty problem by using the Distinction function and Factor analysis method as an example of sensitivity analysis. Further, the factors picked up here were the compression strength qu, depth of soft ground D, natural moisture content ratio Wn, specific gravity Gs wich regard to ground, and the height H, crest width B, slope n, compaction density γb, construction rate with regard to embankment, respectively.
The results obtained are summarized as follows;
(1) Most of the failures of embankments of multistaged construction are caused by small qu on exploration.
(2) It is found from the results of the Distinction Function method that the safety of embankment is dependent on S and D which are not containted in a conventional “safety factor method”.
(3) It is clarified from the results of Factor analysis that the safety of embankment is influenced by the ratio D/H between the depth of soft ground and the height of embankment.
