The paper presents a case study for numerical analysis of the consolidation behavior of an instrumented trial embankment constructed on a soft soil foundation. Details are given to the geological profile, field instrumentation, laboratory test results, and determination of soil parameters for numerical modeling. Embankment settlement is estimated based on one-dimensional consolidation analysis and nonlinear finite-element analysis following Biot’s consolidation theory. Finite-element results are calibrated against the measured field data for a period of more than 3 years . Development and dissipation of excess pore pressure, long-term settlement, and horizontal displacement are predicted and discussed in light of sensitivity of embankment performance to some critical factors through a parametric study.

Areas affected by dryland salinity in Australia are predicted to more than double over the next 40 years as a result of land use and climatic changes. This presents a significant risk to road asset managers because the concentration of salts within road pavements has been shown to cause damage to pavements and surfacings. The present study explores the impact of dryland salinity on road pavements by assessing the effect of naturally occurring salts on the tensile and shear strength of a sealed granular pavement. Microstructure analysis techniques using scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry were employed to analyze tested specimens to explain the physical mechanisms that occur as a result of salt concentration. The presence of natural salts was found to have a positive effect on granular pavements but a negative impact on bituminous surfacings. While in solution, salts were found to have a very small positive effect on the tensile strength of the pavement material, which is...