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Open research questions in Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Stabilization

28 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 403 Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Stabilization papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • evolution. Comput Geotech 165:105946 force-chain of 16. Garner S, Fannin R (2010) Understanding internal erosion: a decade of research following a sinkhole event. Int J Hydropower Dams 17(3):93 17. G. Handbook. ‘‘GDS Triaxial Testing System.’’ https://perma.cc/ 4PGM-GAR6 (accessed. 18. Hosn RA, Sibille L, Benahmed N, Chareyre B (2018) A discrete numerical model involving partial fluid-solid coupling to describe suffusion effects in soils. Comput Geotech 95:30–39 19. ICOLD (2017) Internal erosion of existing dams, Levees and Dikes, and their foundations 20. Indraratna B, Haq S, Rujikiatkamjorn C, Israr J (2022) Microscale boundaries of internally stable and unstable soils. Acta Geotechnica 17(5):2037–2046. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440- 021-01321-7 21. Indraratna B, Israr J, Rujikiatkamjorn C (2015) Geometrical method for evaluating the internal instability of granular filters based on constriction size distribution. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 141(10):04015045. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943- 5606.0001343 22. Indraratna B, Raut AK, Khabbaz H (2007) Constriction-based retention criterion for granular filter design. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 133(3):266–276. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090- 0241(2007)133:3(266) 23. Jiang M, Konrad J, Leroueil S (2003) An efficient technique for generating homogeneous specimens for DEM studies. Comput Geotech 30(7):579–597 24. Ke L, Takahashi A (2014) Experimental investigations on suffusion characteristics and its mechanical consequences on saturated cohesionless soil. Soils Found 54(4):713–730. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.sandf.2014.06.024 25. Kenney T, Lau D (1986) Internal stability of granular filters: reply. Can Geotech J 23(3):420–423 26. Kezdi A (1969) Increase of protective capacity of flood control dikes. Department of Geotechnics, Technical University of Budapest, Report, no.

    Impact of stress paths on erodibility in gap-graded soils: the critical role of geometric criterion in the soil on the borderline of stability · 2026 · DOI

  • Future studies should aim to further clarify the behavior of retractable-cage prestressed pile foundations and facilitate their practical engineering application. In particular, addi- tional investigations are needed to incorporate complete pile-soil interaction, realistic boundary restraints associated with pile caps and layered ground conditions, and full- scale validation under different pile geometries and soil environments. Furthermore, the effects of cyclic, seismic, and fatigue loading, as well as long-term durability and service performance in aggressive underground environments, should be systematically evalu- ated. Based on these efforts, integrated structural-geotechnical design methodologies that combine sectional flexural resistance with pile-soil interaction mechanisms should be developed to enable reliable assessment of the overall lateral response and design of S-PC pile foundations.

    Flexural behavior of retractable-cage prestressed pile segments under lateral loading: numerical and experimental investigation · 2026 · DOI

  • Based on the experimental results of this study, using a triaxial geogrid at the subbase-subgrade interface is highly recommended for flexible pavement reinforcement constructed over weak subgrade at high temperature, especially those expected to encounter high and over contact load pressure. The results have direct significance related to pavement structural design in areas with weak subgrade and overloaded axle weights, which can be incorporated in design guidelines to improve pavement design practice and durability. Future work should be performed to validate the experimental results by conducting full-scale studies. Studies are needed to investigate the effect of different geogrid types, stiffness, aperture size, and may consider multi-layer reinforcement, or reinforce another type of flexible pavement with a different kind of wearing course, such as polymer- modified mixtures, RAP mixtures, or warm mixtures. In addition, finite element analysis may be considered for a better understanding of the response of flexible pavement under different loading and environmental conditions.

    Effects of Geogrid Reinforcement and Tire Contact Pressure on Responses of Flexible Pavement over Weak Subgrade · 2026 · DOI

  • 8 in the FCT yields inconsistent results compared to vane shear tests, as this factor fails to reflect the soil’s consolidation state and the texture effect.

    FALL CONE TEST CALIBRATION FOR SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS · 2026 · DOI

  • The performance of reinforced soil structures is strongly influenced by loading conditions, yet the combined effects of different scenarios on full-scale Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls remain underexplored.

    Optimization of preloading in MSE walls: numerical and experimental analysis · 2026 · DOI

  • the reconstituted root-reinforced soil specimens in laboratory tests. In such specimens, the orientation of roots differs from that in natural root systems, exhibiting a root fabric anisotropy that does not correspond to that under actual field conditions. Although some observed trends are consistent with those reported in previous studies, artificially prepared specimens cannot fully reproduce the dominant root orientations under natural conditions, which may lead to potential bias in evaluating the reinforcing effect. Future experimental work should therefore focus on soil specimens containing naturally grown roots to better represent field-scale conditions and improve the applicability of the results for nature-based slope stabilization. The relationship between CSR and Nf in Figure 9 can be expressed by the most widely accepted equation proposed by Saxena et al., as shown in Eq. (3). This equation is used to fit the test data from this study, and the resulting regression equations are provided in Figure 9. CSR ¼ a (cid:3) N(cid:4)b ð3Þ f The cyclic resistance ratio CRR15 is another important index to evaluate the cyclic liquefaction resistance of soil, defined as the CSR value corresponding to Nf ¼ 15. Many studies have determined CRR15 values using regression equations derived from the CSR-Nf curves.

    Static and cyclic liquefaction instability of reinforced soil with plant roots · 2026 · DOI

  • The observed CH4 emissions during M10-M12 were not associated with increases in soil moisture or bulk density that would typically indicate anaerobic conditions, and therefore warrant further investigation.

    Incorporation of crushed asphalt as a circular economy strategy for de-sealed soil reclamation: case study in Prato, Italy · 2026 · DOI

  • Colliery spoils Stable (from 32◦ to 35◦) High (from 26 kPa to 34 kPa) Low – slight…

    The influence of the addition of crumb tire rubber on the shear strength parameters of colliery spoil · 2026 · DOI

  • This research contributes valuable empirical data to the limited literature on biogas digester foundation performance, particularly for installations on fluvial sediments with anthropogenic overburden typical of industrial sites in Central Europe.

    Application of geodetic measurements to verify the effectiveness of biogas plant foundation · 2026 · DOI

  • The results of this study are valid for the tested geogrid, aggregate, and other materials used. The results may vary if different aggregates and geogrids are used from another source.

    Effects of Geogrid Reinforcement and Tire Contact Pressure on Responses of Flexible Pavement over Weak Subgrade · 2026 · DOI

  • These findings suggest that, especially in regions where granular fill material is scarce, the slope stability of locally found clay soils can be effectively improved using alkali-activated fly ash.

    Numerical Investigation of Clayey Slopes Stabilised with Fly Ash-Based Materials · 2026 · DOI

  • Soil nailing is widely used to improve slope stability, yet the mechanical response of soil-nailed slopes subjected to surcharge loading remains insufficiently understood, particularly at the mesoscopic level.

    Study on stability analysis of soil nail reinforced slopes under loading based on the discrete element method · 2026 · DOI

  • Although both models reproduce the measured ultimate load, conventional Mohr–Coulomb modeling is insufficient to reproduce displacement magnitudes and localization patterns in low-stress 1 g physical models.

    Curved-envelope modeling of dry sand–structure interaction: validation by 1 g physical L-Wall testing and digital image correlation · 2026 · DOI

  • Negative friction acts on both pile sides and pile cap, and the behavior of negative friction on the pile cap under varying embankment conditions requires more detailed investigation.

    Comparing the effect of negative friction on the design bearing capacity of precast piles with different assumed embankment thicknesses · 2026 · DOI

  • The study focuses on the Rach Gia recalimed land area; expansion to other geographical regions and soil conditions would strengthen applicability and generalizability.

    Comparing the effect of negative friction on the design bearing capacity of precast piles with different assumed embankment thicknesses · 2026 · DOI

  • Methods for addressing negative friction affecting pile load-bearing capacity include changing pile cross-sections, materials, construction methods, or combining various soil treatment materials, but comparative effectiveness of these approaches needs further research.

    Comparing the effect of negative friction on the design bearing capacity of precast piles with different assumed embankment thicknesses · 2026 · DOI

  • Studying a pile problem affected by negative friction is quite complex and depends on many interrelated factors (pile type, pile length, soil characteristics, weak soil layer thickness, embankment height, load), suggesting need for more comprehensive analytical frameworks.

    Comparing the effect of negative friction on the design bearing capacity of precast piles with different assumed embankment thicknesses · 2026 · DOI

  • The calculation results are dependent on many factors including working condition coefficients, importance coefficients, reliability coefficients, and Poisson coefficients that vary by soil type, limiting the generalizability of findings to specific coefficient choices.

    Comparing the effect of negative friction on the design bearing capacity of precast piles with different assumed embankment thicknesses · 2026 · DOI

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28 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 403 Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Stabilization papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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