Effect of fiber reinforcement on triaxial shear behavior of clayey sand

Composite soils have been widely used in civil engineering applications, especially in slopes, embankment dam and landfills. A series of laboratory triaxial compression tests were carried out to evaluate fiber effect on strengthbehavior of clayey sand. The base soil was sand-clay mixture and was reinforced using polypropylene fibers to enhance its shear strength. Clay contents were 0%, 10% and 20% dry weight of the sand. Three fiber contents were selected as0%, 0.5% and 1% dry weight of the clayey sand. All samples were prepared at 90% relative density and consolidated drained triaxial tests (CD) were performed at confining pressures of 100, 200 and 300 kPa. Stress-strain and volumechange behaviors of the soil were investigated. It was concluded that increase in fiber content increases the shear strength and dilation of the composite. However, increase in clay content decreases the shear strength.

Keywords:

Composite soils , sand-clay mixture , fiber reinforcement , triaxial compression test