Abstract
This study investigated the effects of polypropylene fibre (PF) reinforcement on the mechanical behaviour of clay soil. Using clay soil and polypropylene fibres from China’s Inner Mongolia and Hebei Provinces, respectively, a series of soil samples with 0%, 1.5%, 2.25%, and 3% PF content by soil weight were subjected to compaction, shear strength, consolidation, California bearing ratio, and microstructure analyses. The study results indicate improved compaction, shear strength, consolidation, and the bearing ratio of the PF-stabilised clay soil. As the PF content increased, its maximum dry density increased and its optimum moisture content decreased; its angle of internal friction increased and its cohesion coefficient decreased; and its void ratio, consolidation coefficient, and hydraulic conductivity all decreased. Comparing the unstabilised (0% PF) and stabilised (3% PF) clay soil, the void ratio, consolidation coefficient, and hydraulic conductivity decreased from 0.96 to 0.93, from 2.52 to 2.34 cm2/s, and from 1.12 to 1.02 cm/s, respectively. The optimum PF content was determined to be 3% by the weight of the soil, as this quantity resulted in the best improvement in soil properties.
Highlights
Highways, bridges, buildings, and hydraulic structures are at high risk for damage if constructed on a swelling soil such as clay
Moghal et al [37] evaluated the effectiveness of Fibre Cast (FC) and Fibre Mesh (FM) in different lengths and dosages on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of soil specimens
The results indicated that FC without lime reduced swelling, while the linear shrinkage decreased with the addition of fibres and lime treatment
Summary
Bridges, buildings, and hydraulic structures are at high risk for damage if constructed on a swelling soil such as clay. Moghal et al [37] evaluated the effectiveness of Fibre Cast (FC) and Fibre Mesh (FM) in different lengths and dosages on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of soil specimens. Puppala and Musenda [38] investigated the effects of fibre reinforcement on strength and volume changes in expansive soils Their results show that the fibre reinforcement increased the UCS of the soil and reduced both its volumetric shrinkage and swelling pressures. Phanikumar and Singla [23] investigated the effects of nylon fibres on the swell-consolidation characteristics of a clay soil They found that the use of nylon fibres improved the soil’s secondary consolidation characteristics and that the swell potential and vertical swelling pressure decreased as the length of the fibres increased. The results of this study demonstrate the potential for the use of PF as part of a soil stabilising technique, advancing the state of knowledge regarding the practical stabilization of clay soils
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