A circular management model for sustainable and resilient geotechnical infrastructure

The Circular Management Model (CMM) is a reconstructive conceptual framework for integrating sustainability, resource efficiency, and resilience into the practice of geotechnical engineering. It is a new CMM approach for the geotechnical field, demonstrated through several practical case studies, numerical simulations, environmental impact assessment (EIA), and stochastic risk analysis. The research aims to provide solutions to make the construction sector more environmentally sustainable without compromising technical performance. Samples from Singapore, the Netherlands, and California were studied to examine the practical application of circular geotechnical methods, including the recycling of excavated soil, the use of RAP, and the use of Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA). FEA simulations of the mechanical behavior of RCA under static and seismic conditions showed an 8% increase in settlement and a 12% increase in stress compared to traditional materials; however, it remains within Eurocode 7 safety limits. Monte Carlo simulations with 10,000 repetitions decided that there is a 4.7% chance that the settlement failure will happen if RCA is used, with Young’s modulus being a leading factor (75% variance contribution). Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) findings indicate that RCA use can lead to a 32% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, a 28% decrease in energy consumption, and a 28% decrease in water consumption compared to traditional concrete. An optimization model set a 70% RCA mix as the best option for minimizing environmental impact. The results support the application of CMM in green infrastructure projects, offering a validated, multidimensional methodology that aligns with circular-economy principles, geotechnical engineering, and the UN SDGs 9, 11, and 12.