A multi-laminate constitutive model for soft soils incorporating structural anisotropy is presented. Stress induced anisotropy of strength, which is present in multi-laminate type constitutive models, is augmented by directionally distributed overconsolidation. The model is presented in theelastic-plastic version in order to simulate strength anisotropy of soft clayey soils and destructuration effects. Performance of the model is shown for some element tests and for the numericalsimulation of a trial road embankment constructed on soft clays at Haarajoki, Finland. The numerical calculations are completed with the commercial finite element code capable to performcoupled static/consolidation analysis of soils. Problems related to the initiation of in situ stress state, conditions of preconsolidation, as well as difficulties linked to estimation of the model parametersare discussed. Despite simple assumptions concerning field conditions and non-viscous formulationof the constitutive model, the obtained final results are of a sufficient accuracy for geotechnical practice.

Drilled displacement columns, constructed in the form of unreinforced or reinforced concrete elements, are currently a very commonly used method of improving soft subsoil, creating an alternative to more expensive pile foundations. A frequently used solution for improving soft soils of road or railway embankments is to design a regular pattern of columns of relatively small diameter. Columns along the perimeter of the improved area are reinforced with rigid steel profiles, while the internal ones are made as concrete elements. Column heads are usually covered with a load transfer platform (layer of compacted granular fill) which is additionally reinforced with geosynthetics.
The application of soil improvement with displacement columns is not always successful. It is due to the errors and shortcomings occurring at the design stage, including simplifications in modelling, to construction faults, which may include insufficient experience of contractors and/or improper supervision.
Referring to the real object that failed, the article provides the results of numerical parametric analyses taking into account the influence of the key design parameters such as: the stiffness of the load transfer layers, the amount and stiffness of the geosynthetic reinforcement as well as the column spacing. The article presents comparisons of numerical results obtained with the finite element analyses for various approaches to geometry modelling (axisymmetric, 2D and 3D). The simulations indicate that the use of the axisymmetric model of a single column in routine design may lead to the deformations exceeding the serviceability limit states.