Utilizing Waste-Shredded Rubber Pieces for Improved Foundation Stability

This research explores the use of waste-shredded rubber pieces (SRP) to enhance foundation stability specifically addressing challenges with collapsible soils. The study investigates SRP’s unique properties, such as high elasticity and compressibility, for improving soil stability. Laboratory experiments, including grain size analysis, Atterberg limit tests, compaction testing, unconfined compression tests, and shear strength tests, were conducted with SRP content ranging from 0 to 5% in 1% increments. Finite element method-based numerical modeling was also used to evaluate the impact of SRP on soil properties. The results show that adding 2–3% SRP significantly increases the load-bearing capacity of collapsible soils. Optimal stability is achieved with 3% SRP, resulting in a 57.55% increase in ultimate bearing capacity. The findings demonstrate that SRP not only improves the load-bearing capacity and stability of soils but also offers an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional rubber disposal methods. This research establishes a comprehensive database linking SRP content to enhanced soil properties, providing valuable technical insights for future applications in geotechnical engineering.