INVESTIGATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF PARAMETRIC VARIATIONS IN GEOSYNTHETIC ENCASED STONE COLUMNS ON BEARING CAPACITY OF FOUNDATIONS

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of parametric variations in geosynthetic encased stone columns (GESCs) on the bearing capacity of shallow foundations in soft cohesive soils, with a focus on promoting green engineering and resilient infrastructure development. Stone columns are a well-established ground improvement technique; however, their performance significantly diminishes in very soft soils due to inadequate lateral confinement, leading to premature failure or excessive settlement. Geosynthetic encasement addresses this by providing additional radial support, improving column stability, and enhancing load transfer to the underlying soil. Using PLAXIS 2D, a series of finite element simulations were conducted to evaluate the impact of three key parameters—encasement stiffness, column diameter, and column length—on the load-bearing behaviour of GESC-reinforced foundations. Laboratory-tested properties of locally available soft cohesive soil and field data from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, were used to calibrate the numerical model, ensuring realism and relevance to practical conditions. While the theoretical framework for GESCs is well documented, their real-world application, particularly in small or semi-urban regions, remains underutilised. This study aims to bridge that gap by examining site-specific configurations that support the development of resilient and sustainable infrastructure in such areas. The findings show that increasing encasement stiffness and column length significantly enhances the bearing capacity of the foundation and reduces overall settlement. Optimising the column diameter further improves performance, offering an efficient load transfer mechanism while maintaining economic feasibility. Additionally, the use of GESCs reduces the reliance on deep foundation systems and minimises the need for chemical stabilisers, thereby lowering environmental impact. By promoting the use of locally sourced aggregates and reducing excessive material consumption, this approach aligns with low-carbon, cost-effective ground improvement strategies. Overall, the study contributes to the optimisation of GESC design for soft soils and offers practical recommendations for geotechnical engineers aiming to extend modern, eco-friendly ground improvement solutions to underserved semi-urban and peri-urban regions.