International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056 Volume: 11 Issue: 05 | May 2024
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p-ISSN: 2395-0072
OPTIMIZING SOIL STABILITY: EFFECTS OF ORGANIC MATTER AND JUTE FIBERS ON PIPING RESISTANCE OF SOIL Helen Thomas1, Revathy VS2 1MTech student, Department of Civil Engineering, Marian Engineering College, Kazhakuttom,
Kerala, India
2Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Marian Engineering College, Kazhakuttom, Kerala, India
---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------spurred interest in natural and biodegradable Abstract - The stability of earthen structures like dams, embankments, and levees depends on the soil's resistance to piping, a process where water flow creates subsurface erosion paths leading to potential failure. This study investigates the performance evaluation of jute fibers and organic matter in enhancing the piping resistance of the soil. Experimental analyses were conducted to determine the optimal composition of soil stabilizers, focusing on varying lengths and concentrations of jute fibers in conjunction with organic matter. The soil samples were prepared with organic matter content varying from 0% to 20% and jute fiber of length 50mm at concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 1.0% to the dry weight of the soil. The key parameters measured included the seepage rate, piping resistance, and critical hydraulic gradient. The results indicated a significant improvement in the piping resistance with the inclusion of jute fibers and organic matter. The optimum combination was found to be 10% organic matter and 50mm length jute fiber at a concentration of 0.75%. This specific mix demonstrated the highest increase in the critical hydraulic gradient and the longest time to piping initiation, suggesting enhanced soil cohesion and structural integrity. Keywords: Piping failure, Jute fiber, Organic soil, 1D piping test 1. INTRODUCTION Soil erosion and instability pose significant challenges in geotechnical engineering, impacting infrastructure development and agricultural productivity. Among various forms of soil erosion, piping—subsurface erosion caused by the removal of soil particles by percolating water represents a critical problem, often leading to the formation of underground channels and the eventual collapse of the soil structure. This phenomenon can compromise the stability of embankments, dams, and levees, making it imperative to explore effective soil reinforcement strategies. A significant incident related to piping failure occurred during the floods in Kerala in August 2018, which led to major seepage issues in the Thenmala Dam and the Chimony Dam in Thrissur. Traditional methods for enhancing soil stability have primarily relied on synthetic materials and mechanical interventions. However, growing environmental concerns and the push for sustainable engineering solutions have
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alternatives. In this context, jute fibers, a natural and abundant resource, and organic matter have emerged as promising candidates for soil reinforcement. Jute fibers, known for their tensile strength and biodegradability, can enhance soil cohesion and resistance to erosion, while organic matter can improve soil structure and water retention properties. Recent studies ([1] [2], [3]) have shown that organic materials can reduce the severity of piping erosion in soil. The authors found that soil organic carbon and light fraction organic carbon, representing the labile portion of organic matter content, played key roles in increasing soil aggregate stability and reducing aggregate disintegration during splash erosion events. Also, various researchers have studied the efficiency of using fiber reinforcement in improving the piping resistance of soil using laboratory experiments. Estabragh et al. [4] in 2017 indicated that the inclusion of fibers reduced the seepage velocity, increased the piping resistance, and increased the critical hydraulic gradient hence, considerably delaying the amount of piping. Coghlan et al. [3] 2014 utilized both natural and synthetic fibers, as well as additives such as cement, lime, and ash. The research found that natural fibers yielded better results compared to synthetic ones. In particular, jute fibers demonstrated the best adhesion with the soil mix. The study will involve a series of laboratory experiments to assess the impact of varying concentrations of jute fibers and organic matter on the soil's physical and hydraulic properties. Key performance metrics will include piping resistance, seepage velocity variation, and the critical hydraulic gradient at which piping initiates.
2. EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION To better understand how organic matter and fiber reinforcement can lower seepage velocity and increase soil piping resistance, a laboratory experiment was carried out. Investigations were conducted on the piping behavior of specimens of unreinforced soil and specimens reinforced with jute fibers and organic soil, compacted in a specially designed one-dimensional piping setup.
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