SERENA · Sustainable Engineering of Earthen StRuctures using Eco-friendly Soil fills with New-generAtion Geosynthetic Reinforcement Systems

Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil (GRS) structures offer rapid construction, adaptability to varying site conditions and enhanced durability compared to conventional methods. Their stability critically depends on the interface strength between soil, geosynthetics and structural components, a requirement that cannot currently be satisfied with non-traditional or recycled backfills due to the absence of performance-based guidelines. Consequently, high-quality quarried aggregates are typically used, increasing costs through extraction, transportation and handling while limiting the adoption of sustainable materials. The SERENA project addresses this challenge by developing evidence-based, performance-oriented guidelines for using non-traditional and recycled fills in GRS structures. It systematically investigates geosynthetic–soil interactions, backfill influence on reinforcement–facing connections and optimized GRS configurations through laboratory and large-scale prototype testing. Performance results will inform the development and validation of numerical models to predict settlement, lateral displacement and interface connection forces. SERENA will deliver the first comprehensive European design framework for sustainable GRS structures, including material acceptance criteria, design charts and performance thresholds. The project promotes circular economy principles, reduces reliance on quarried aggregates and enables safer, environmentally friendly and resilient GRS construction, supporting EU Green Deal objectives and modernizing geotechnical design practice across Europe.