Advancing Slope Stability in Roadway Embankments: The Role of Innovative Geosynthetics and Numerical Modeling Under Dynamic Traffic Load and Extreme Rainfall Conditions

Slope stability in roadway embankments remains a critical concern in geotechnical engineering. The slopes are often mechanically stabilized by using conventional geosynthetics such as geotextiles, geogrids, and geomembranes for separation, reinforcement, filtration, drainage, and erosion control under static conditions. However, evolving infrastructure demands and increasing exposure to extreme weather and dynamic loading necessitate the adoption of advanced geosynthetics. New materials such as wicking geotextiles, which combine mechanical reinforcement with moisture regulation via capillary action, and geocomposites, which integrate multiple geosynthetic components for enhanced drainage and barrier performance, offer promising solutions. Numerical modeling techniques, including finite element and finite difference methods, are essential for evaluating the behavior of these materials under various environmental loading scenarios, capturing critical parameters such as rainfall infiltration, matric suction variations, and pore water pressure fluctuations. Furthermore, modeling under dynamic traffic loading enables the assessment of cyclic stress response, shear deformation, and stress redistribution in reinforced embankment systems. Despite these advances, research remains limited regarding the coupled effects of environmental and traffic-induced loading on advanced geosynthetic systems. This study proposes a comprehensive numerical modeling framework for advancing slope stability in roadway embankments by incorporating comprehensive laboratory test results, with a focus on evaluating the performance of advanced geosynthetics under combined environmental and traffic loading conditions. The outcomes are expected to support the development of resilient and sustainable transportation infrastructure systems.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $540,441.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552344813

  69A3552348318

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  National Center for Infrastructure Transformation

  Prairie View A&M University
  Prairie View, TX  United States  77446
• Performing Organizations:

  Arizona State University, Tempe

  Tempe, AZ  United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Zapata, Claudia

  Lakkimsetti, Balaji

  Congress, Surya

  Alam, Jobair

  Bhaskar, Puneet

  Puppala, Anand J

• Start Date: 20260201
• Expected Completion Date: 20270131
• Actual Completion Date: 20270131
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers
• Source Data: 03-32-ASU

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Embankments; Geogrids; Geosynthetics; Rainfall; Slope stability
• Subject Areas: Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 02001917
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: National Center for Infrastructure Transformation
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552344813, 69A3552348318
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Sep 10 2026 8:54AM