The paper reports on a new foundation system, the self-regulating membrane foundation, for embankments on deep soft soil deposits, such as stockpiles or infrastructure embankments. The load bearing behavior of the system was analyzed by means of centrifuge model tests and comprehensive numerical simulations, such as global sensitivity analyses and parametric studies. The results of those analyses and the derived design approach are presented in the paper. The paper concludes with a validation of the design approach, by comparison with results of the numerical simulation.