Consolidation of soft clay foundation improved by geosynthetic-reinforced granular columns: Numerical evaluation

Soft clays are problematic soils as they present high compressibility and low shear strength. There several methods for improving in situ conditions of soft clays. Based on the geotechnical problem's geometry characteristics, may require reinforcement to restrain instability construction settlements. Granular columns reinforced by geosynthetic material widely used reduce settlements embankments They also accelerate consolidation rate reducing drainage path's length increasing foundation soil's bearing capacity. In this study, performance encased layered granular clay is investigated discussed. The numerical results show significance stiffness column embankment Furthermore, that play an important role dissipating excess pore water pressures accelerating