Abstract: Due to irregular shape, calcareous soil particles are prone to produce interlock, which results in different earth pressure transmission from ordinary cohesive soil. To study the distribution and response of calcareous soil pressure in road foundation and on the retaining wall under different loading conditions, the soil pressure under the vehicle dynamic load was monitored at a coral reef site. The study is focused on the transfer and distribution of earth pressure in calcareous soil under the weight of fill and the moving load of the vehicle and the vibration compaction load of the roller. The results show that the lateral pressure coefficient is 0.2-0.3 and the average value is 0.25. The observed earth pressure on the roadbed is much higher than that calculated according to the theoretical formula. At the depth of 3.28 meter in the roadbed after rolling, the additional load of heavy vehicles is small. The increment of the additional soil pressure in the foundation at the depth of 2.73 meter is extremely small. However, when the 22-ton vibratory roller is vibrated and rolled, the additional stress increment of the foundation at a depth of 2.73 meter is extremely small. Hence, it is difficult to increase the compactness of the soil at this depth. Just the shallow soil can be effectively compacted.

Key words: soil pressure, calcareous sand, dynamic response, vehicle load