LAUSR

Abstract This study focuses on the stability of stone column-supported and geosynthetic-reinforced embankments on soft soil. An upper-bound limit state plasticity failure discretization scheme (known as discontinuity layout optimization (DLO)), which determines the embankment stability without pre-assuming a slip surface, is used. The relationships between the stability of stone column-supported and geosynthetic-reinforced embankments and various influencing parameters, including the soil strength, geometric configuration, reinforcement strength, and area replacement ratio, are analysed. It is found that geosynthetics provide a significant contribution to embankment stability. Two failure mechanisms of geosynthetics (i.e., rupture failure and bond failure) are revealed and the effect of geosynthetics on embankment stability is governed by the failure mode. The application of stone columns mitigates the risk of geosynthetic failure. To provide an analytical solution for primary design in engineering practice, an approach based on the limit equilibrium method is proposed. Validations are performed with the DLO solution to demonstrate the accuracy and reliability of the developed analytical approach.