Spring-Based Trapdoor Tests Investigating the Performance of Lightweight Aggregate Load Transfer Platforms
Publication: Geo-Congress 2024
ABSTRACT
Lightweight aggregate has characteristics of light self-weight and high friction angle; therefore, it has great potential to be used as a fill material in load transfer platforms (LTP) over piles to support embankments on soft soils. This study conducted two spring-based trapdoor tests to investigate the load transfer mechanism of the load transfer platform using Kansas River sand and lightweight aggregate materials. The spring-based trapdoor tests consisted of fill placement and surface loading stages to investigate the mobilization and degradation of soil arching above the trapdoor. The surface loading was applied locally using a hydraulic jack on a rigid footing. The vertical pressures on the trapdoor and the stationary supports were measured using earth pressure cells, and the settlements of the trapdoor and footing were measured by displacement transducers. Test results showed the embankment with the lightweight aggregate as the LTP material could reduce the settlement of the subsoil during the placement of the embankment fill and the footing loading. The embankment with the lightweight aggregate as the LTP material showed better performance in hindering the degradation of soil arching and had less footing settlement under the footing loading than that with the Kansas River sand as the LTP material.
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Information
Published In
Geo-Congress 2024
Pages: 162 - 170
History
Published online: Feb 22, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Aggregates
- Design (by type)
- Earth materials
- Engineering fundamentals
- Fills
- Footings
- Foundations
- Geomaterials
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Infrastructure
- Load factors
- Load tests
- Load transfer
- Material tests
- Pavements
- Shallow foundations
- Soil dynamics
- Soil mechanics
- Soil settlement
- Structural design
- Tests (by type)
- Transportation engineering
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