International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 10 Issue: 05 | May 2023
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
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Threads of Stability: Harnessing Polypropylene's Grip on Red Soil Bidyut Bikash Hazarika1, Pragyan Kalita2 1Department of Civil Engineering, Royal Global University, Guwahati
2 Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Silchar
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Abstract - This study investigates the soil stabilization of
tests were carried out to assess the engineering properties of the treated soil. The results indicated that the addition of polypropylene fiber increased the strength, toughness, and shrinkage potential of the soil. However, it led to a reduction in the swelling potential. Based on the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, it was found that the presence of fiber contributed to physical interaction between fiber and soil, highlighting the fiber's contribution to the soil's properties.
red soil using polypropylene fibers. The specific gravity, Atterberg limits, and particle size distribution of the soil were determined. The Proctor compaction test was conducted to establish the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content. Reinforced soil samples were prepared with varying fiber contents. Shear strength tests, including direct shear and unconfined compression, were performed to assess soil stability. The study was conducted using soil samples from the Garchuk area of Guwahati city. The results provide valuable insights into the behavior of red soil stabilized with polypropylene fibers, contributing to practical engineering applications. This research addresses a knowledge gap and offers guidance for sustainable and effective soil stabilization techniques.
Another study conducted by Nangia et al. (2015) investigated the behavior of polypropylene fiberreinforced soil samples collected from five locations along the Yamuna river bank in Delhi. Various percentages of polypropylene fiber (ranging from 0% to 2.5% of the dry weight of soil samples) were added to the soil. Unconfined compressive strength and direct shear tests were performed to evaluate the strength characteristics and stress-strain behavior of the reinforced soil samples. The study revealed that the addition of fibers enhanced the shear strength of the soil, particularly in well-graded samples. Moreover, the shear strength increased with higher percentages of fibers. Additionally, it was observed that fine soils exhibited increased optimum moisture content due to the increased surface area resulting from fiber addition.
Key Words: Soil stabilization, Red soil, Polypropylene fibers, Shear strength, Compaction test.
1.INTRODUCTION Red soil, characterized by its distinct reddish color and high clay content, poses significant challenges for construction and engineering projects due to its inherent instability and poor load-bearing capacity. The instability of red soil can result in uneven settlements, excessive soil erosion, and compromised structural integrity, leading to significant economic losses and safety concerns. To mitigate these challenges, various soil stabilization techniques have been employed, among which the incorporation of polypropylene fibers has emerged as a promising solution.
Sandy soils, characterized by their low cohesion and poor load-bearing capacity, often require stabilization techniques to improve their engineering properties. Attom et al. (2010) conducted a study on sandy soil stabilization using polypropylene fibers. They examined two types of fibers, one flexible with a flat profile and the other relatively stiffer with a crimped profile, at varying aspect ratios. The results indicated that increasing the content of flexible flat profile fibers improved shear strength, angle of internal friction, and ductility of the sandy soil. Higher aspect ratios of these fibers further enhanced shear strength. The crimped profile fibers primarily increased shear strength under high normal load conditions. Moreover, increasing the percentages of both fiber types increased the angle of internal friction. These findings contribute to understanding the role of polypropylene fiber types and aspect ratios in enhancing shear strength parameters of sandy soil.
Polypropylene, a versatile thermoplastic polymer, exhibits exceptional mechanical properties, including high tensile strength, low density, and resistance to chemical degradation. These properties make it an attractive material for enhancing the engineering characteristics of red soil. By introducing polypropylene fibers into red soil, it is possible to improve its stability, increase its loadbearing capacity, and reduce the potential for settlement and erosion. In a research conducted by Yi et al. (2006) a series of tests were performed on clayey soil specimens treated with varying percentages of polypropylene fiber (0.05%, 0.15%, 0.25% by weight of the parent soil) and lime (2%, 5%, 8% by weight of the parent soil). Unconfined compression, direct shear, and swelling and shrinkage
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Studies consistently demonstrate that the inclusion of polypropylene fibers improves the UCS of soil. The fibers contribute to enhanced interlocking and cohesion within
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