BEARING CAPACITY OF FOUNDATIONS RESTING ON A TRENCH OF LOCAL RECLAIMED ASPHALT PAVEMENT MATERIAL

Abstract

One of the methods used to improve the bearing capacity of footings constructed over soft clays is by replacement of the soft soil by making a trench filled with suitable material. Typical dimensions for an over excavation width of the bottom of the excavation typically varies from one to three times the width of the foundation and the depth below the bearing level is generally about ½ to 1½ times the foundation width (0.5B to l.5B). If a good bearing stratum (medium dense sand, dense sand, gravel, or bedrock) exists close to the bearing level, the excavation is usually taken to the top of the bearing stratum or a shallow depth into it. The present study is intended to make use of the reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) as a replacement material underneath a footing resting on soft clay. A trench of replaced soil will be extended to different depths to investigate the suitable dimensions of the trench.