Performance of Geosynthetics in Reinforcing Soft Ground for Construction

Authors

  • B. A. Elmi Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
  • N. M. Suleyman Dawood Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
  • D. Z. Abang Hasbollah Centre of Tropical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
  • B. A. Othman Centre of Tropical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
  • A. Ibrahim Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • M. A. A. Mat Nor Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
  • R. Bhatawdekar Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15282/construction.v5i2.12575

Keywords:

Soil reinforcement, soft soils, geogrid, geotextile, vertical drains

Abstract

The use of geosynthetics to reinforce soft ground is crucial in addressing the challenges posed by soft soils, including their low shear strength, high compressibility, and inadequate drainage. These challenging soil conditions, frequently found in regions like Malaysia, present major obstacles to infrastructure development. This research examines how geosynthetic materials such as geogrids, geotextiles, and vertical drains can offer innovative solutions to enhance soil stability and load capacity. By reviewing three case studies, the study illustrates how geogrids reduced settlement in a railway project, geotextiles stabilized road embankments on soft ground, and vertical drains sped up soil consolidation. These cases show that geosynthetics improve stability, shorten construction time, and support durable infrastructure on soft soils. This study examines the use of geosynthetics, including geogrids for high-speed railway embankments in Malaysia, geotextiles for road stabilization in Indonesia, and prefabricated vertical drains for ground improvement in Egypt. The findings highlight the practical advantages of geosynthetics in improving construction efficiency, promoting sustainability, and enhancing resilience in soft soil conditions. Ultimately, this paper adds to the expanding body of knowledge on advanced geotechnical methods, emphasizing the crucial role of geosynthetics in modern construction practices.

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Published

2025-12-29

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How to Cite

[1]
B. A. Elmi, “Performance of Geosynthetics in Reinforcing Soft Ground for Construction”, Constr., vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 327–336, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.15282/construction.v5i2.12575.

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