Lightweight geo-bead fill to prevent soft ground deposit failure

Abstract

As a foundation for transportation infrastructure, soft ground has limited bearing capacity and high compression. To prevent embankment failure, lightweight material is suggested. In the construction of road embankments, EPS can be regarded as an environmentally sustainable lightweight fill material. The study's goal is to create a formula for GB (Geo-bead) concrete mixing as a lightweight fill ingredient. Several tests are performed on the material specimens, including bulk density, interface shear strength, unconfined compression, and a SEM of the composite material. The tests were designed to determine the physical and mechanical qualities using GB percentages (20%, 30%, and 40%). Composite material has a lower density than compacted sand. The friction angle falls between the adhesion of GB-GB and GB-cemented sand. A ductile failure pattern develops because the bond between cement paste and GB is less than that between cement sand. The composite material's CBR passed embankment specifications. In the case of an embankment on soft soil, the 2D FEM analysis expressed settlement by compacted sand and lightweight fill material. Lightweight geo bead backfill decreases soft soil settlement, preventing failure.