Suitability of Alternate Materials for Granular Pile Based on FEM Analysis

This research article focuses on numerical analysis to compare settlement response and suitability of alternate materials of the granular pile under varying loads. Numerical studies have been performed to study load–settlement behavior of granular pile in alternate materials using finite element numerical modeling PLAXIS 3d software. A finite element-based program is also created for parametric studies to forecast the outcomes. The alternate materials composed of eight recycled materials: lightweight expanded clay aggregates, brick, sandstone, calcareous stone such as marble and limestone, glass, and recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) and granite. The design charts at various loads of stress concentration ratio and settlement reduction ratios demonstrate that marble has the highest stress concentration ratio among the other materials. Lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) has the lowest stress concentration ratio under 100 kPa. In addition, an inclusive carbon footprint reveals sandstone has the lowest value of 64 kgCO 2 /tonne. The findings are acceptable for bearable load structures and filler materials in the soft soil improvement.