Effect of jute fibre reinforcement on strength, thickness and cost of low-volume rural roads

Abstract

The impact of jute fibres on the strength of poor subgrade soil is investigated in this study. Heavy compaction, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and soaked California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests are performed on soil samples reinforced with various percentages of jute fibres (i.e. 0.125%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1%, 1.25%, and 1.5%) of 15 mm fibre length by weight of soil. The subgrade categorization was changed from very poor to fair, resulting in a significant reduction in pavement thickness and cost. The reinforced soil sample's ductile behaviour and rupture strength have improved, as seen by a smaller post peak strength decrease and a larger failure strain, respectively. In scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, bonding between soil particles and jute fibres can be seen, producing stress transfer and improving the properties of the poor subgrade soil. Predictive models were formed for CBR and UCS using multiple linear regression. Predictive models were formed for CBR and UCS using multiple linear regression.