The behaviour and performance of geosynthetic reinforced column supported embankments

This study investigates the localised and global scale behaviour of geosynthetic reinforced column supported embankments (GRCSEs) by way of a field case study in Melbourne, Australia where a recently constructed geosynthetic reinforced embankment supported on drilled displacement columns has been extensively instrumented. The findings from this study highlight the need for coupled arching stress-deformation models to describe accurately ultimate and serviceability limit state conditions for GRCSE design. In addition, the role that installation effects have on the global scale behaviour of GRCSEs has been shown.