Abstract

This paper presents the effect of two types of polypropylene fibers on shear strength parameters of sandy soil. To achieve the goals of this research, a sandy soil was obtained from a depth of 40 cm from the natural ground surface around American University of Sharjah. Two types of polypropylene fibers; one highly flexible with flat profile and the other with relatively high stiffness and crimpled profile were used in this study with four different aspect ratios (L/D) for each type. The initial physical properties of the sand such as specific gravity, angle of internal friction and shear strength were obtained in accordance with American Standard for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The sandy soils were mixed with the two types of fibers at different percentages by dry weight of the sand and four different aspect ratios. The test results of the study showed that the shear strength of the sand increased with increasing the flexible flat profile fibers content. Also it was noticed that by increasing the aspect ratio of the flexible flat profile the angle of internal friction and the shear strength increased. The crimpled profile fiber increased the shear strength of the sand under high normal load and has small or no effect on shear strength of the sand at low aspect ratio under low normal load.

Highlights

  • Due to the increasing cost of high quality materials needed for different geotechnical projects, engineers try to improve the physical properties of local soils throughout different methods and techniques

  • This paper presents the effect of two types of polypropylene fibers on shear strength parameters of sandy soil

  • Two types of polypropylene fibers; one highly flexible with flat profile and the other with relatively high stiffness and crimpled profile were used in this study with four different aspect ratios (L/D) for each type

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Summary

Introduction

Due to the increasing cost of high quality materials needed for different geotechnical projects, engineers try to improve the physical properties of local soils throughout different methods and techniques. Engineers started to use different types of fiber in soil stabilizations These fibers are found in the market as short, discrete materials with different aspect ratio and they can be mixed randomly with the soil, as cement, lime, or other additives at different percentages. Fibers on crack behavior of clay subjected to drying and wetting conditions He concluded that the addition of fibers to the clay soil is very effective in reducing the amount of desiccation cracking and increasing the tensile strength. The combination between the large number of fibers per kg, its shape and anchoring capability with the matrix, would provide a toughness and ductility to the material Both types have high resistance to acid/alkali attack and are suitable for use in wet underground conditions.

Experimental Program
Results and Discussion
The Effect of the Length of the Fiber on the Shear Strength of Sand
The Effect of Aspect Ratio on Angle of Internal Friction
Practical Consideration
Conclusions

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