Soaking effect on bearing capacity of subgrade material

Abstract

Research aims to analyze the index properties and minerals content of subgrade materials, as well as to analyze how much degradation of bearing capacity of subgrade by providing immersion cycles. Research to be performed in the laboratory sequentially starting from material index properties tests to ensure the soil sample meets the requirements as a subgrade. The test was continued by unconfined compression (UCS) and CBR test against each test specimen after being subjected to immersion cycles in 4 days, 8 days, 12 days and 16 days. The last step is to compare the degradation of subgrade bearing capacity before and after immersion cycles. Test results of index properties are in conformity with x-ray diffraction test results, based on index properties results of activity degree (A) is 0.52 including kaolinite minerals and x-ray diffraction test results of this subgrade material is largely dominated by Kaolinite clay minerals. Test results by immersion cycles shown significant decrease in the value of CBR and UCS, especially in the initial immersion for 4 days, CBR and UCS values drastically decreased by 90% and 97%, subsequent to 8 days, 12 days and 16 days CBR and UCT values, not significant decrease compared to age 4 days.