Performance of Geosynthetic-Encased Granular Columns Using C&D Waste as a Sustainable Material

The utilization of construction and demolition (C&D) waste in geotechnical engineering offers a sustainable and economically advantageous approach for ground improvement. This study assesses the effectiveness of granular columns made from C&D waste in enhancing the load-bearing capacity of soft soils, with a focus on the contributions of single-layer geosynthetic-encased stone columns (SLGESC) and dual-layer geosynthetic-encased stone columns (DLGESC). The research employed finite element modeling (FEM) using PLAXIS 3D, complemented by validation against experimental results from a single-column setup under static vertical loading. The findings demonstrate that C&D waste columns significantly enhance the load-carrying capacity of soft soils, achieving up to a three-fold increase over unreinforced conditions. DLGESC configurations showed superior performance, with up to a 9.27-fold increase in load efficiency compared to ordinary granular columns (OGC). This study highlights the potential for integrating C&D waste into geosynthetic-encased stone columns and advances the pathway toward sustainable and effective ground improvement methods.