Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Proceedings of 4th Civil Engineering & Architecture Conference-ICEARC'25, Trabzon, Türkiye, 17 - 19 Mayıs 2025, ss.879-890, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
The enhancement of seismic performance in fully saturated sand through the inclusion of Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) was investigated using two-dimensional finite element analyses conducted in PLAXIS 2D. The dynamic response of an RCA-reinforced soil system supporting a six-story structure was evaluated under seismic excitation. The incorporation of RCA significantly mitigated the maximum settlement beneath the raft foundation, reducing it from 13.6 cm to 2.5 cm, and effectively confined the deformation to a shallow subsurface zone. This localized deformation pattern substantially minimized differential settlement and preserved the foundation’s load-bearing capacity. Stress distribution analyses revealed a more homogeneous principal stress field beneath the foundation. Compressive and tensile stresses were reduced by approximately 28 kN/m² and 8 kN/m², respectively. Additionally, uplift-induced tensile stress concentrations at the raft edges were significantly diminished. At the superstructure level, RCA inclusion resulted in a modest increase in top slab bending moments by approximately 4–6%, while shear force demands remained constant or decreased marginally (up to 3%), indicating that structural implications are limited to minor flexural design considerations. These results substantiate the efficacy of RCA as a sustainable and mechanically competent soil improvement material that enhances the stiffness and strength of saturated sands without imposing adverse effects on superstructural performance. To advance practical applications, future research should focus on full-scale experimental validation, long-term seismic performance monitoring, and comprehensive parametric studies examining the influence of RCA gradation and volumetric content on dynamic soil behavior, aiming to inform and refine performance-based seismic design frameworks.