Effect of polypropylene fiber on mechanical behaviour of expansive soils

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental study evaluating the effect of polypropylene fiber on mechanical behaviour of expansive soils. The initial phase of the experimental program includes the study of the effect of polypropylene fiber on maximum dry density and optimum moisture content with different fiber inclusions. Dynamic compaction tests have been conducted on an expansive soil sample with 0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% polypropylene fiber additions (by dry weight of the soil) and samples have been prepared with the same dry density statically. The second phase of the experimental program focuses on the unconfined compression, tensile and one-dimensional swell behaviour of the unreinforced and reinforced soil samples. Finally it is concluded that mitigation of expansive soils using polypropylene fiber might be an effective method in enhancing the physical and mechanical properties of subsoils on which roads and light buildings are constructed.