Effects of fibre type and content on unconfined compressive strength of fibre-reinforced lime or cement-stabilised soils

ABSTRACT Soil reinforcement and stabilisation using a combination of natural or synthetic fibres, lime, cement and fly ash is very useful when construction had been done on weak soil. This study is evaluated the utilisation of fibres, cement and lime as a stabiliser for soil improvement. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests carried out on the specimens containing various contents of cement, lime and fibre after curing times of 7 and 28 days to estimate the optimum mixture design. In preparing specimens, the clay soil was mixed with the desired amount of cement or lime and fibre then compacted at the optimum water content and maximum dry density. The results show that the UCS increases about 7.5 times in a cement content change from 5% to 25% at a curing time of 28 days. However, this value is about 11.5 for lime–stabilised specimens. The UCS of cement or lime-stabilised specimens with or without fibre reinforcement increases as curing time increases from 7 to 28 days. However, it is concluded that the optimum fibre content corresponding to maximum UCS is directly dependent on the type of fibre. Mostly the optimal fibre content varies from 6% to 10% depending on cement type.