Abstract: “One of the most important problems are to construct on soft clay soil. The utilization of a cemented top layer increases bearing capacity, reduces displacement at failure, and change soil behavior to a brittle behavior. The objective of this research paper is directed towards investigating experimentally the effect of footing shapes on the bearing capacity and settlement of weak clay soil overlain by cemented or uncemented sandy soil. Two percent of cement are used as reinforcement for sandy soils. A laboratory experimental work program was carried out on circular, rectangular, and square model footings. The studied parameters include footing shape, thickness of replacement sand layer, and percent of added cement. Experimental results show that the shape of the footing has a pronounced improving effect on soil bearing capacity and its settlement. Circular footing gives the highest improvement while rectangular footing gives the least one. The critical depth of cementing upper sand laye”

Keywords: soil bearing capacity, layered soil, weak clay, cemented sand replacement, soil reinforcement, footing shape.