Abstract
Abstract The A421 improvements scheme near Bedford in England requires construction of the new dual carriageway and a realigned side road over two former borrow pits that have been partially infilled with up to 20 m of soft clay. The side road was constructed using lightweight fill comprising ‘Maxit’ expanded clay aggregate and tyre bales manufactured from old vehicle tyres under a Standard that produces an engineering material from a former waste product. A deskstop study and a series of ground investigations were carried out to establish the history of the site and the current condition of the infill and to provide parameters for geotechnical design. The solution was chosen after consideration of various options against a number of constraints. The bulk of the embankment was formed from layers of tyre bales with alternate thin levelling layers of ‘Maxit’. A period of surcharge with wick drains was incorporated to reduce settlements in the long term and a temporary toe berm provided for stability during construction. The use of tyre bales on this project provided a number of environmental benefits as well as practical benefits including cost and ease of storage, handling and placing.
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