Volume Averaging Technique for Deep-Mixed Columns under Embankments: Verification and Validation

Journal article, 2026

Modeling the three-dimensional (3D) soil-structure interaction of geostructures on periodic ground improvement, in order to optimize the design, is a computationally demanding task. Thus, this paper exploits the so-called volume averaging technique (VAT), an attractive numerical tool to represent the composite material behavior by homogenizing the problem yet having two independent constitutive models for the constituents involved. The derived formulation for the averaged material behavior of the column improved ground enables to map this fully 3D problem into an equivalent two-dimensional (2D) plane-strain counterpart. After discussing the theoretical framework and the underlying assumptions, the numerical implementation of the technique is explained in detail. The trial embankments in Paimio, Finland, were modeled as full 3D problems as well as using the volume averaging technique in 2D plane-strain conditions. The excellent match between the 3D simulation results and that by the VAT verified the framework and the implementation. Furthermore, the technique was validated by being able to replicate the measured data with very good accuracy.