Design of Bitumen Asphalt Belt Sliding Joint Based on Experiment Results

Abstract

Foundation structures are usually exposed to dominant vertical load. However, in some cases there is also significant value of horizontal load caused e.g. by horizontal terrain deformation on areas attached with underground mining or by horizontal deformation of foundation structure due to pre-stressing, creep, shrinkage, and temperature variation. Through the friction between subsoil and foundations, the foundation structure must resist significant normal forces. The idea of sliding joints between subsoil and foundation structure, which eliminates the friction in footing bottom, comes from the 1970’s. The bitumen asphalt belt given rheological properties has been proven as an effective material for sliding joints. In the paper there are test results of shear resistance of currently used asphalt belts. The test results are used for subsoil shear stress analysis in model example of strip foundation. Shear resistance is calculated according to Czech code for designing buildings on undermined area and also using advanced FEM analysis.