Deformation Analysis of Geosynthetic-Encased Stone Column–Supported Embankment considering Radial Bulging

Abstract

This study presents an analytical solution for predicting the vertical settlement behavior of geosynthetic-encased stone columns (GESCs) and GESC-supported embankments, taking into account the radial bulging deformation of GESCs. The analysis is performed based on the deformation pattern of a GESC-reinforced foundation. The solution is obtained by enforcing compatibility between the settlements of the column and the soil for each element of the GESC-reinforced foundation. This method has been verified via a comparison with data from the literature. Parametric studies were conducted to investigate the influence of encasement stiffness, embankment fill height, and dilatancy angle on the behaviors of the GESC. The results indicate that the theoretical approaches proposed in this study are suitable for predicting the deformation of GESC-supported embankments. In GESC-reinforced foundation design, it is safer to rely on this predicted settlement when the dilatancy angle ψc is also considered.