INCREASING THE BEARING CAPACITY OF SOFT WATER-SATURATED CLAY SUBGRADES ROADS

Abstract

Problem statement. The restoration and development of Ukraine's infrastructure, the elimination of the consequences of the destruction caused by hostilities, and the post-war reconstruction of the country require, first and foremost, the restoration of the road and aerodrome networks in Ukraine, as well as civil and industrial facilities. For the smooth operation of infrastructure facilities located in difficult engineering and geological conditions, it is necessary to increase the bearing capacity of the foundations on which the restoration, reconstruction, construction or overhaul of these facilities is planned. Increasing the bearing capacity of soft, water-saturated clay soils is performed by traditional methods such as the use of geosynthetic materials or lime, as well as new alternative methods such as the addition of biopolymers. The purpose of the article is to analyze foreign experience in the use of effective and environmentally safe materials for consolidating and increasing the bearing capacity of soft water-saturated clay soils and justification of the feasibility of their use in Ukraine based on laboratory studies of soils with the addition of lime and a biopolymer, xanthan gum. Conclusion. An analysis of foreign methods for the use of lime and biopolymers to consolidate and increase the bearing capacity of soft water-saturated clay soils was performed. Studies on the selection of the concentration of lime and biopolymers in the soil mixture were analyzed. Laboratory experimental studies were conducted on soft water-saturated clay soils with varying soil liquidity index and lime content of 2−4 % and xanthan gum content of 2−4 %. The research results showed a significant reduction in deformations of soft soils when they are fixed with biopolymer.