Cement-based　columns　in　combination　with　geosynthetic　reinforcement　is　a　well-established　soft　ground　improvement　technique　to　enhance　embankment　stability.　This　paper　aims　to　present　a　finite-element　(FE)　study　based　on　a　case　history　of　a　geosynthetic-reinforced　column-supported　(GRCS)　embankment　over　soft　soil.　In　this　study,　the　columns　are　simulated　with　an　advanced　Concrete　model　to　simulate　the　development　of　possible　cracking　and　induced　strain-softening.　Numerical　results　are　compared　against　published　centrifuge　tests,　giving　confidence　to　the　established　FE　model　with　the　Concrete　model.　New　insights　into　the　progressive　failure　mechanisms　of　GRCS　embankments　over　soft　soil　are　then　discussed　by　examining　the　stress　paths,　internal　forces,　and　cracks,　as　well　as　the　plastic　failure　zones　of　columns.　In　addition,　the　role　of　columns　and　geosynthetics　on　the　progressive　failure　mechanisms　(failure　loads　and　sequences)　is　also　examined　by　an　extensive　parametric　study.　The　results　suggest　that　provided　the　optimization　of　compressive　and　tensile　forces　in　the　columns　combined　with　the　tensile　stiffness　of　the　geosynthetics　is　put　in　place,　more　columns　can　be　mobilized　to　resist　global　sliding　failure　and　to　improve　the　bearing　capacity　of　GRCS　embankments.　©　2023　Elsevier　Ltd