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Effect of Subbase Stabilization on the Bearing Capacity of Footing Resting on Clayey Soil

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Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the influence of subbase layer thickness and shear strength on the performance of footings situated on very soft, soft, and medium clays using two-dimensional finite element analysis. Subbase thicknesses of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m have been considered in the study based on practical considerations related to excavation stability and cost-effectiveness. It has been found that increasing subbase thickness increases the ultimate bearing capacity, with average percentage increase ranging from 14 to 64%. Furthermore, it has been found that the shear strength parameters of the subbase layer have minor effect on the ultimate bearing capacity. Importantly, a new predictive model has been proposed using the results obtained from the numerical analyses to enable fast and accurate calculation for the ultimate bearing capacity considering the subbase soil replacement. The predictive model scored a coefficient of determination of 0.99, which indicates an excellent prediction accuracy.

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The data utilized in this study can be obtained upon request.

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The code implemented in this study can be provided upon request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Al-Maarif University College for supporting this research.

Funding

This work was supported and funded by Al-Maarif University College under Grant 4545.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Roads and Transport Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al Diwaniyah, 58002, Iraq

    Saif Alzabeebee

  2. Al-Maarif University College, Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq

    Bashar H. Ismael

  3. University of Fallujah, Fallujah City, Anbar, Iraq

    Bashar H. Ismael

  4. Department of Civil Engineering, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat, 395007, Gujarat, India

    Jitesh T. Chavda

  5. Research Unit in Sciences and Innovative Technologies for Civil Engineering Infrastructures, Department of Civil Engineering, Thammasat School of Engineering, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand

    Suraparb Keawsawasvong

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  1. Saif Alzabeebee
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  3. Jitesh T. Chavda
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  4. Suraparb Keawsawasvong
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Correspondence to Bashar H. Ismael.

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Alzabeebee, S., Ismael, B.H., Chavda, J.T. et al. Effect of Subbase Stabilization on the Bearing Capacity of Footing Resting on Clayey Soil. Transp. Infrastruct. Geotech. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40515-024-00407-5

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