Load Bearing Capacity Of Soil Research Articles

Ancient Houses in Ben Tre City: A Multifaceted Approach to Preserve Artistic Architectural Heritage and Boost Local Tourism

The ancient houses of Ben Tre city, dating back to the French colonial period, transcend their historical significance to become essential cultural landmarks with global connections. These houses play a pivotal role in safeguarding Ben Tre's artistic and architectural heritage, aligning seamlessly with the vision of a "Green Ben Tre" in contemporary tourism development. Their unique value lies in the harmonious synthesis of material and spiritual elements, fostering cultural exchange and connecting communities worldwide. This article not only presents initial research findings on the preservation and promotion of the rich values encapsulated within Ben Tre's ancient house system but also explores additional crucial technical solutions. Beyond the study of the effectiveness of the Cement-Stabilized Base (CSB) additive in enhancing soil load-bearing capacity, the paper introduces various technical strategies aimed at conserving the artistic architectural heritage. The focus extends to sustainable construction practices, ensuring the longevity of these historical structures. The study emphasizes the urgent need for conservation, acknowledging the imminent threat of demolition faced by some ancient houses in Ben Tre city. It underscores the importance of sustainable tourism development as a key factor in preserving these invaluable cultural assets for future generations.

Effect of the soil slope on the cost-efficient optimum discrete design of reinforced concrete isolated footings

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the soil slope on the cost-efficient optimum design of reinforced concrete isolated footings. In contrast to previous studies, the magnitude of the soil-bearing capacity was considered dynamically related to the foundation size and embedment depth. Thus, the principal objective of the optimization process was to attain an optimal reinforced concrete isolated footing design on sloped soil at the lowest possible cost. The length and width of the foundation, thickness of the footing, embedment depth, and diameter of the steel longitudinal rebars were considered as design variables. To achieve optimum designs, the principles of the Turkish Requirements for Design and Construction of Reinforced Concrete Structures (TS500 2000) and the Turkish Building Earthquake Code (TBEC 2018) were utilized to determine the practical structural design constraints of the optimization problem. The well-known Hansen and Vesic methods were used independently to compute soil load-bearing capacities. Thus, reinforced concrete isolated footings were cost-effectively optimized in four different load cases and four different soil slope cases, considering the Hansen and Vesic approaches as two different computation methods for the soil load-bearing capacity. As a robust and up-to-date algorithm, the grey wolf optimizer was utilized as an optimization tool. 32 optimum designs were then optimally evaluated with respect to cost efficiency, considering the soil slope, load case, and load-bearing capacity computation effects. As a result, increments in the soil slope were found to increase the cost of reinforced concrete isolated footings nonlinearly. The maximum cost differences between the 0° and 45° soil slopes evaluated in the design examples analyzed using the Hansen and Vesic soil load-bearing capacity methods were 116.36% and 148.05%, respectively.

Utilizing a new columnar inclusion approach to treat loose and granular soils

This study introduces an innovative method to improve the load-bearing properties of loose fine-grained soils, mitigate geodynamic stress-related risks to supported structures, and address the issue of end-of-life tire waste. This technique involves blending shredded end-of-life tires with sandy soil and compacting the mixture into sand-rubber compacted piles (SRCP), thereby enhancing both the soil's load-bearing capacity and its ability to absorb energy. As per the ASTM classification system, the sand used in this study falls into the category of fine to medium poorly graded sand, with particle sizes ranging from 4.75 mm and an average particle size (D50) of 0.2 mm. An experimental program was devised to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of this composite material. Field plate load tests (FPLT) were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the proposed technique, taking into account factors such as the initial relative density of the soil, the ratio of rubber to sand (R/S) in the mixture, and the distribution of piles in the surrounding environment. The results from the plate load tests revealed that when SRCP was applied to soil with a relative density of 40 %, the ultimate load-bearing capacity increased by 100 %.

Load-Bearing Capacity of an Oxisol under Burned and Mechanized Harvest Sugarcane Crops

The change in land use and the expansion of mechanized sugarcane production systems have led to an increase in soil compaction levels. Preconsolidation pressure may be used as a useful measure for soil mechanical state, management, and planning of mechanization systems. This study aimed to assess the soil compressive behavior, soil physical properties, and spatial variability of preconsolidation pressure of an Oxisol in sugarcane fields under burned harvest and mechanized harvest and the effects of land use change. The physical soil attributes (granulometry, soil water content, bulk density, total porosity, and macro and microporosity) and preconsolidation pressure were evaluated at 0.00–0.10-m, 0.10–0.20-m, and 0.20–0.30-m layers. The soil load-bearing capacity models were constructed from σp values for soil water contents. We mapped the assessed soil attributes from crossing points in a sampling mesh with regular 10 m intervals in each area and evaluated them via geostatistics. Land-use change towards sugarcane production systems promoted soil compaction. The mechanized harvesting system increased the soil load-bearing capacity in the water range corresponding to the friability region in subsurface layers. The preconsolidation pressure and soil water content exhibited spatial dependence in the sugarcane areas, regardless of the management system employed in the harvesting operations.

Experimental Research on LooseSoil Soil Stabilization Using Compacting and Grouting

All construction projects involve the fairly common technique of soil stabilization. Increase the strength and bearing capacity of loose soil through compaction and grouting. These strategies are used to stabilize loose soil and are based on experimental research. In Cuddalore, this technique is applied to Aalapakam. By utilizing the greatest local resources, soil stabilization aims to boost soil stability and strength while lowering building costs. to enhance the site's characteristics, make it more load-bearing, and boost shear strength by making the soil less compressible. Materials for soil stabilization aid in improving the soil's overall performance, tensile strength, and load bearing capacity.

Load bearing capacity of finite half space agricultural homogeneous soil

A comprehensive plate-sinkage equation is necessary for the description of the load bearing capacity of soils. In the last century, several improvements to the existing equations were attempted but with limited success. The main aim of this paper is to verify, evaluate and develop a load bearing capacity theory of finite half space soil. Agricultural soils may be regarded as a finite half space in which the tilled soil layer is comparable to the loading diameter. Harder soil is found below the tilled soil layer and this hard soil can be considered as a rigid layer. A new consideration is the compacted cone-shaped zone developing under a loading device and its possible interaction with the rigid bottom surface. Theoretical and experimental investigations reported in this paper have shown that these approaches have facilitated deriving new relationships valid for finite half space. These include two independent variables and developing a dimensionless load bearing number. This paper introduces a new dimensionless plate-sinkage equation describing soil deformation in a general form.

A remote sensing approach to estimate the load bearing capacity of soil

Preconsolidation pressure (σP) of soil can be considered as an indicator of the Load Bearing Capacity (LBC), which is the tolerated surface pressure before compaction, often caused by the traffic of agricultural machinery. In this pioneering study, a remote sensing approach was introduced to estimate LBC through σP from soils of the “Rio Preto” Hydrographic Basin, Bahia State, Brazil, in a monthly time lapse from 2016 to 2019. Traditionally, σP is measured by a laborious and time demanding laboratory analysis, making it unfeasible to map large areas. The innovative methodology of this work consists of combining active–passive satellite data on soil moisture and pedotransfer functions of clay content and water matric potential to obtain geo-located estimates of σP. Estimates were analysed under different classes of soil use, land cover and slope; 95% confidence intervals were built for the time series of mean values of LBC for each class. The overall seasonal variation in LBC estimates is similar in areas with annual crops, grasslands and natural vegetation, and flat areas are less affected by soil moisture variations over the year (between seasons). LBC decreased, in general, at about 0.5% a year in flat areas. Therefore, these areas demand attention, since they occupy 86% of the Basin and are mostly subjected to agricultural soil management and surface pressure by heavy machinery.

Load-bearing capacity and critical water content of the coffee plantation soil with management in full sun and shaded

New management practices applied to coffee crops may influence the soil’s capacity to tolerate vertical stresses. This paper aimed to evaluate the influence of two coffee crop management systems on the soil load-bearing capacity and critical soil water content to agricultural machinery traffic. This study was performed in the experimental area of the Federal Institute of the Southeast of Minas Gerais – Rio Pomba college, in Rio Pomba city, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Dystrophic Red-Yellow Oxisol (Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico) (LVA7) [...]

Correlation Analysis of Flexible Road Pavement Surface Condition and Load Bearing Capacity of Subgrade Soil

Following the continuous deterioration of flexible road pavements on Federal Highways in Northern Nigeria, which in some quarters is attributed to poor structural capacity of the subgrade soil or design and workmanship; this study examined the relationship between the instantaneous surface condition of flexible road pavement and the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) values of the corresponding subgrade soils. An investigation of road surface condition was carried out on 60 km length of the Zaria – Kaduna Federal Highway in Northern Nigeria. Experimental results on the mechanical properties of the corresponding subgrade soils of road segments measured at Chainages were obtained from the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (FMPWH). The primary data used by the study were measured as quantities of surface area distresses along the site which included; cracks, potholes, rutting and edge failure, while secondary data from the FMPWH database included; natural moisture content, maximum dry density, specific gravity, liquid limit, plastic limit, liquidity index, optimum moisture content, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), percent of soil particles passing #200 sieve and AASHTO classification of the subgrade soil. A Pearson correlation analysis between the road pavement surface condition and the CBR value of the subgrade soil at 95% Confidence Level using a 1-tailed statistics for the test hypothesis revealed that, there was no dependency between the pavement surface condition and the corresponding CBR property of the subgrade soil.

Sugarcane straw effects on soil compaction susceptibility

Crop residues may buffer part of compressive stress applied over the soil surface. Thus, indiscriminate crop residue removal would magnify soil compaction in highly mechanized cultivation systems, such as sugarcane in Brazil. Nevertheless, the effect of different amounts of sugarcane crop residue (straw) on soil compaction mitigation still needs to be tested. We conducted a laboratory study to quantify the effects of sugarcane straw rates on soil compaction indicators in response to external applied stress. The experiment involved remolded soil cores with four initial bulk densities: 1.25, 1.35, 1.45 and 1.55 Mg m−3, and five amounts of straw were left on soil surface, equivalent to 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 Mg ha−1. The soil cores were subjected to uniaxial compression test and seven successive vertical static loads (25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 kPa) were applied over the soil surface using a pneumatic consolidometer. Soil displacement was measured after each applied load. Based on these values, apparent precompression stress (σp), apparent compression index (CI) and final bulk density were calculated as indications of soil deformation. Because, soil inherent properties should not change, we call the changes due to straw layer addition "apparent" in this study. Our results revealed that large amounts (>10 Mg ha−1) of straw increased subtly apparent soil load bearing capacity (i.e., increased up to 15 kPa in apparent σp; 7%). The bulk density change rate (soil deformation) decreased due to presence of straw under low stress (<100 kPa), and increased under high stress (>400 kPa) levels in loose soil. On the other hand, compaction was slightly reduced in compacted soil, with corresponding reduction on apparent CI values. Nevertheless, despite this buffer effect provided straw, we noticed that increases in surface straw amount are likely insufficient to reduce the risk of compaction (little gain in apparent load-bearing capacity), but a reduction of about 5% on the soil deformation (as apparent σp is overcome) could occurs in compacted soils. We advocate that benefits of leaving sugarcane straw covering the soil go beyond the direct “damper” effect, because straw is source of carbon, which is fundamental for enhancing soil structure stability and biological activity, and thus, reducing soil compaction risks or even alleviating soil compaction restrictions to plant growth. Finally, we encourage future studies to test the straw effects under machinery traffic in field conditions, which could involve the additional effect of shear stress over the tyre-straw-soil interface.

Strength, swelling and compressibility of unsaturated sugarcane soils

Large-scale sugarcane plantation is characterized by successive and disordered traffic of heavy machinery and equipment over the cycle, which can cause damage to the soil structure. As the stress induced by traffic exceeds the soil load-bearing capacity, it results in soil compaction. However, the mechanisms and key variables that govern the compressive characteristics in agricultural unsaturated soils to support those applied loads without plastic deformations (compaction) is not fully understood. To investigate this process, we measured the strength, swelling and compressibility characteristics of unsaturated soils with contrasting texture from sugarcane fields. Undisturbed soil cores were sampled in nine cultivated sugarcane fields, equilibrated at a matric potential of –100 hPa and subjected to confined uniaxial compression tests. Precompression stress (σp), compression (λ) and swelling (κ) indexes were extracted from the soil compression curves. Soil organic C (SOC), degree of compactness, total porosity and particle size fractions were also measured and correlated to the compressive parameters σp, λ and κ. Principal components, correlation and multiple regression models were used to the data analyses. Overall, reductions in soil strength and increases in the soil compressibility and elasticity occurred with the increase in SOC, whereas increases in the degree of compactness resulted in higher soil strength and lower soil compressibility and elasticity. Furthermore, our results revealed that silt + clay content considerably increased soil compressibility. In combined scenarios for a range of soil texture, SOC and degree of compactness at matric potential at around field capacity (i.e. –100 hPa), the maximum σp observed was approximately 200 kPa, which is a much lower load-bearing capacity than the estimated stress for some trucks and trailers used in sugarcane harvest (∼600−800 kPa). Our study suggests that soil compaction is eminent in sugarcane fields at matric potential close to field capacity, and can be aggravated in clayey soils with high SOC content and low degree of compactness. Therefore, urgent strategies of traffic control are necessary to prevent or mitigate soil compaction induced by mechanized sugarcane operations.

Effects of Curing Time Using Crushed Coconut Shell (CCS) and Coconut Shell Ash (CSA) as Additive to Improve Lateritic Soils

Numerous constructions in Malaysia have encountered the issues where soil cannot fulfil the standard required specification due to the bearing capacity of soft soil is too weak to withstand traffic loading. Recently, there is a lot of defeats related to soil settlement and distorting of the structure effect by the inflated compressibility and low in shear strength of the soil. This research study on the effects of natural additives in crushed coconut shell (CCS) and coconut shell ash (CSA) to enhance the durability of lateritic soil for road pavement. The effects of curing time in the CCS and CSA admixture of soil is examined. Different proportions of 5% and 9% CSA with a constant 8% CCS were used to study the effect on lateritic soil. Series of preliminary tests were performed followed by engineering test of Compaction test in identification on optimum moisture content (OMC) and maximum dry density (MDD) followed by California Bearing Ratio (CBR) for curing day of 4 days, 7 days and 14 days of soil mixtures sample to investigate its enhancement to soil strength. Further review from the previous research has also been carried out and it is pointed out that by using natural CCS and CSA brushed up the soil load-bearing capacity due to the increment of CBR value obtained as compared to the normal mix. Hence, it can be concluded that the combination of natural additives CCS and CSA in the soil also have the capability to improve the soil strength and can be suggest to replace aggregates and cement for use in lateritic soil stabilization subject to road works.

Load Bearing Capacity of Cohesive-Frictional Soils Reinforced with Full-Wraparound Geotextiles: Experimental and Numerical Investigation

This research investigated the effects of types of cohesive-frictional soil and geotextile reinforcement configurations on the bearing capacity of reinforced soil foundation (RSF) structures, via laboratory test and numerical simulation. The four reinforcement configurations studied for the RSF included: (i) horizontal planar form of geotextile, (ii) full-wraparound ends of geotextile, (iii) full-wraparound ends of geotextile with filled-in sand, and (iv) full-wraparound ends of geotextile with filled-in sand and sand backfill. The foundation soils studied were mixtures of fine sand and sodium bentonite at replacement ratios of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% by dry weight of sand to have various values of plasticity index (PI). The numerical analysis of RSF structures was performed using PLAXIS 2D software. Several factors were studied, which included: embedment depth of the top reinforcement layer (U), width of horizontal planar form of the reinforcement (W), and spacing between geotextile reinforcement layers (H). Number of reinforcement layers (N) was varied to determine the optimum parameters of U/B, W/B, H/B, and N, where B is the footing width. The most effective improvement technique was found for the full wraparound ends of geotextile with filled-in sand and sand backfill. The outcome of this research will provide a preliminary guideline in a design of RSF structure with different ground soils and other RSF structures with different geosynthetic types.

Sustainable Implementation of Glass Manufacturing Waste and Geogrids in the Improvement of Fine-Grained Soils

Recently, utilization of wastes has become increasingly important in aspects of sustainability and waste disposal. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of using glass manufacturing waste (GMW) for the first time in the relevant literature, geogrids and GMW-geogrid reinforcement to increase the load bearing capacity of a clayey soil (CS) by large-scale model experiments. Initially, optimum water ratios were determined for different ratios of GMW and CS. Secondly, the optimum mixing ratio of GMW was determined. Next, the optimum soil depth improved with GMW and the optimum number of geogrids were investigated. Consequently, a bearing capacity ratio (BCR) increase of 2.23 times was acquired and the optimum mixture ratio was attained for 25% GMW addition. Improvement depth (Rd) and optimum number of geogrids (N) were obtained as 1.75D (D: diameter of the model foundation) and 3, respectively. The highest degree of improvement was reached for geogrids-GMW combination and a minimum waiting period of 7 days was advised in the sequel of such soil improvement work. Out of the observation of micro-structural analyses results, both physical and chemical interactions were encountered throughout the occurrence period of bearing capacity improvements.

Soil strength and load bearing capacity measurement techniques

In this research, the interest will be given to studying the load bearing capacity and strength of soil terrain, resulting from machine-soil interaction. A small introduction will define terramechanics studies and its importance when dealing with machine-terrain interaction. The axial load acting on a terrain will lead to the sinkage of the machine, thus considering this load will help in studying the load bearing capacity of the soil and ending up with results that are beneficial to terramechnaics studies, so improvement in the machine design or choosing the suitable machine for specific terrain. This review shows the studies and models that researchers obtained and dealt with regarding the load bearing capacity. The techniques and the measurements used in finding the load bearing capacity of soil will be explained (Bevameter, Cone penetrometer).

Foundation with increased load bearing base capacity

Along with other advanced geotechnical technologies for the exploration of underground space, electro-discharge technology (EDT technology) is one of the fundamental in the field of the construction of auger-injection microcircuits, as well as the construction transformation of the properties of foundation soils with weak physical and mechanical characteristics. At the same time, having significant differences compared to other methods of subsurface development of buildings and structures, the geotechnical EDT technology has a number of advantages, such as: 1) increased specific soil load-bearing capacity; 2) constructability of the auger piles in any geotechnical conditions; 3) possibility of geotechnical works performance under restricted conditions. As a basic structure for the development of new technologies, it has a large scientific research potential for the purposes of introducing it into modern underground construction.

Utilisation of Recycled Glass Powder for the Stabilization of Black Cotton soil by Alkali Activation

Black Cotton Soil forms a major soil group in India. It covers 20% of the total area of India. Due to its high swelling and shrinkage characteristics, Black cotton soil has been challenging for construction activities. To overcome the problems caused by black cotton soil, the soil needs to be stabilized. Stabilization increases the strength of soil and controls the swell and shrinks potential of soil thus improving the load bearing capacity of soil. Lime and Cement are commonly used additives in soil stabilization. The production of commonly used additives like lime and cement contributes to a higher carbon footprint. Recycled glass powder is a construction and demolition waste. Recycled glass powder is rich in Silica and Alumina, thereby on addition of an alkali; it forms a geopolymer that enhances the strength of the soil. In this study Recycled glass powder is added in the proportions of 0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, 15% and 18 % along with Sodium Hydroxide and Sodium Silicate in the ratio of 1:2.5 to the Black cotton soil to facilitate the geopolymerization reaction. The effect of Recycled glass powder based geopolymer on the strength of Black cotton soil for the curing period of 3 and 7 days is investigated. The Unconfined compressive strength of Black cotton soil increases with the increase in proportion of geopolymer up to an optimum value of 9%. With the increase in curing time the strength of Stabilized Black cotton soil increases. A Recycled glass powder based geopolymer can be used as an effective soil stabilizer.

Structural quality and load-bearing capacity of an Ultisol (Argissolo Vermelho amarelo) in mechanized coffee areas with different deployment times

The mechanized management systems used in Brazilian coffee plantations generate heavy machine traffic and lead to the application of loads on the soil that affect the soil structure and lead to widespread compaction. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of mechanized operations on coffee plantations with different deployment times on the soil structural quality of an Ultisol, based on its soil physical properties and soil load-bearing capacity. The experiment was carried out in Muzambinho, São Paulo State, Southeast [...]

Impact of permanent traffic lanes on the soil physical and mechanical properties in mechanized sugarcane fields with the use of automatic steering

The randomized traffic during all crop cycles in the Brazilian sugarcane production system enhances soil compaction. The use of automatic steering in controlled traffic farming represents an alternative to minimize soil compaction in the sugarcane fields. Our research aimed to evaluate the changes in the soil physical and mechanical properties under permanent traffic lanes, after three years of sugarcane mechanized harvesting, with the use of automatic steering. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Nova Europa, state of São Paulo, Brazil, in a sugarcane area, under the following treatments: sugarcane planted in a single-row spacing (1.5 m) with conventional traffic, sugarcane planted in a single-row spacing (1.5 m) with automatic steering, and sugarcane planted with double-combined row spacing (1.50 × 0.90 m) and with automatic steering). The bulk density, soil porosity, soil penetration resistance, aggregate stability, and tensile strength of aggregates, were assessed in the inter-row center and seedbed. Soil load-bearing capacity was also included in this study by modeling of preconsolidation pressure at 0–0.1 m and 0.2–0.3 m of depth. After three years of mechanized operations, with controlled traffic using automatic steering, in a sugarcane field, the soil compaction was higher on the inter-row center (i.e. higher bulk density, tensile strength, and preconsolidation pressure and, lower macroporosity) than on the seedbed. The load-bearing capacity allowed to detect the pronounced effect of the machines’ traffic management systems on the soil compaction. The use of automatic steering reduced the load-bearing capacity in the seedbed in relation to the inter-row center, indicating that such management system preserves the soil physical quality in the ratoon region. Moreover, the lowest soil compression index values observed in the inter-row center, using management systems with automatic steering, indicates a lower susceptibility to undergo additional soil compaction.

Shape optimization of flexible soil-steel culverts taking non-stationary loads into account

The paper proposes a procedure for shape optimization of flexible soil-steel structures. The mechanical behaviour of such structures is significantly different in comparison to other bridge construction technologies. The load bearing capacity of the backfill soil is of the key importance. This fact was taken into account. In particular, the energy optimality condition and simulated annealing algorithm were utilized. Due to the assumptions made, while originally formulating the condition, the optimal shapes should be regarded as the ones maximizing backfill mobilization. Thus, the method takes the advantage of the peculiar character of soil-steel structures and, therefore, should be regarded as specially dedicated to such type of engineering objects. A detailed formulation of the procedure is followed by a short review of the optimization results obtained by the author so far. In this regard two types of load were considered: dead-weight of the backfill and uniformly distributed load of the surface. However, the original contribution of the work is a proposal of the procedure modification allowing to identify the optimal shape of the shell of a soil-steel structure capable of carrying the moving load, i.e. without it being necessary to assume a priori the location of the vehicle. To achieve this the “worst case” logic was applied to modify optimality condition. The optimal shapes, obtained numerically for different types of loading including non-stationary truck load, and the relations between them suggest the potential for the practical use of the proposed optimization procedure.