Abstract
The paper deals with mechanical properties of soil-cement composites made with non-cohesive soil and reinforced with dispersed fibers. The research was carried out on the basis of three soil-cement matrices whose compositions varied in terms of the volumetric fraction of cement paste and the water-cement ratio. Two types of polypropylene fibers were used as dispersed reinforcement: single fibrillated-tapes polypropylene fibers (SFPF) and bundles of coiled fibrillated-tapes polypropylene fibers (BCFPF). The fibers varied in terms of their length and mass fraction. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of the addition of fibers to soil-cement composites on their flexural tensile strength and on their behavior in the post-critical state. The studies were carried out after 28 days of curing. Bending tests were carried out to determine post-critical stress values σCMODi, stress values at which the matrix is destroyed (limit of proportionality) σLOP, maximum stress values transferred by the fibers σMOR (modulus of rupture), and total fracture energy Gf,tot as well as compressive strength. The test results obtained, and their analysis, indicate the significant impact of the dispersed reinforcement used on the performance of such composites during bending.
Highlights
Ground improvement is a long-established procedure in geotechnical engineering
Due to the achieved effect of increased strength of composites as a result of introduction of fibers, the flexural tensile strength ffm is identical to σMOR
The range of variability of both the type, length, and quantity of the dispersed reinforcement described in the article allowed to increase the flexural tensile strength described by the σMOR /σLOP ratio, approx. twice on average, regardless of the matrix version used
Summary
Ground improvement is a long-established procedure in geotechnical engineering. The rapid development of this technology over the years has resulted in many methods of improving weak ground. The need to classify these methods was quickly recognized. In the early 1980s, Mitchell [1] classified them in 6 categories: in situ deep densification of non-cohesive soils; consolidation by preloading with/without vertical drains; injections and grouting; stabilization using admixtures; thermal stabilization; and reinforcement of soil. In 2000, Terashi and Juran [2] supplemented this classification with another category: soil replacement.
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