This paper presents a numerical investigation on the load transfer mechanism of geosynthetic-encased stone column supported embankment. A coupled numerical model is developed by combining the discrete element method (DEM) with the finite difference method (FDM). A parametric study is then conducted on several governing factors such as the encasement length (L_enc), geosynthetic stiffness (J), the strength of foundation soil (c_u), embankment height (H_emb), and area replacement ratio (α_E). The predicted stress concentration ratio (SCR) under the embankment load is smaller than that under rigid loading (i.e., under the equal strain condition of the composite foundation). The predicted coefficient of the lateral pressure (K_ps) lies between the coefficient of earth pressure at rest (K₀) and the coefficient of passive earth pressure (K_p). Particularly, the bearing capacity of the GESC would be overestimated when substituting the confinement with K_p in the calculation. The shear stress at the column-soil interface (τ_cs) is less than the ultimate shear stress, and its development would be retarded with depth.

本文对土工合成材料包裹的石柱支撑路堤的荷载传递机制进行了数值研究。通过将离散元法 (DEM) 与有限差分法 (FDM) 相结合，开发了耦合数值模型。然后对几个控制因素进行参数研究，例如包覆长度 ( L _enc )、土工合成材料刚度 ( J )、地基土强度 ( c _u )、路堤高度 ( H _emb ) 和面积置换率 ( α _E）。预测应力集中比（SCR) 路堤荷载下小于刚性荷载下（即复合地基等应变条件下）。侧向压力的预测系数（K _ps）介于静止土压力系数（K ₀）和被动土压力系数（K _p）之间。特别是在计算中用K _p代替约束会高估GESC 的承载能力。柱-土界面处的剪应力 ( τ _cs ) 小于极限剪应力，其发展会随着深度的增加而延迟。