ABSTRACT
Waste tyres generated mostly from the vehicles manufactured by automobile industry can be reused in different civil engineering applications as a construction material and as a light weight fill. Tyre derived aggregates (TDA) are made out of waste end of life tyres by shredding them to sizes comparable to that of natural aggregates. This paper numerically evaluates the response of embankments supported by granular piles formed by natural aggregates and TDA in soft clays. Attempts were made to discuss and compare the performance of ordinary granular piles (OGP), geosynthetic encased granular piles (EGP) with and without TDA reinforcing the soft clays. The EGPs were found to be effective and suitable by replacing a portion of aggregates (up to twice the diameter) with TDA over OGP’s especially for very soft clays. Approximately 50% reduction in settlements and 40% effective dissipation of pore pressures were observed for EGP’s when compared to OGP.
