Effect of Fiber Reinforcement on Mechanical Behavior of Alkali-Activated Binder-Treated Expansive Soil: Reliability-Based Approach
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 20, Issue 12
Abstract
Expansive black cotton soil (BCS) exhibits volumetric instability when exposed to moisture fluctuation, rendering loss of geomechanical strength. The present paper evaluates the effectiveness of stabilizing BCS with two different types of fibers, polypropylene (PF) and glass fiber (GF), in conjunction with envirosafe alkali-activated binder (AAB) at different proportions of fly ash and slag in alkaline mixture. AAB is produced by blending an alkali-activator solution of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide with aluminosilicate precursors (Class-F fly ash/slag) at 0.4 water to solid (w/s) ratio. PF and GF are varied from 0% to 0.4% with 5% AAB in BCS. Unconfined compression strength (UCS), indirect tensile strength (ITS), and California bearing ratio (CBR) tests are carried out as performance indicators of geomechanical strength of both fiber-reinforced AAB treated BCS. The research also focuses on proposing an optimum dosage of fly ash–slag ratio and fiber reinforcement in AAB-BCS. Monte Carlo Simulation is used to determine the reliability index for each case. The influences of varying dosages of fibers and fly ash–slag proportions in BCS show a significant improvement in shear strength and tensile properties. The reliability analysis also shows that the amount of fibers and fly ash–slag proportions are essential factors in UCS, ITS, and CBR strength for both PF and GF reinforcement.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Central Analytical Laboratory Facilities at BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, for providing the setup for the microstructural studies.
References
Abdeldjouad, L., A. Asadi, R. J. Ball, H. Nahazanan, and B. B. K. Huat. 2019. “Application of alkali-activated palm oil fuel ash reinforced with glass fibers in soil stabilization.” Soils Found. 59 (5): 1552–1561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2019.07.008.
Archontoulis, S. V., and F. E. Miguez. 2015. “Nonlinear regression models and applications in agricultural research.” Agron. J. 107 (2): 786–798. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2012.0506.
ASTM. 1995. Standard test method for indirect tension test for resilient modulus of bituminous mixtures. ASTM D4123. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2003. Standard test methods for one-dimensional swell or settlement potential of cohesive soils. ASTM D4546. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2006. Standard test method for unconfined compressive strength of cohesive soil. ASTM D2166. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2007. Standard test methods for laboratory compaction characteristics of soil using standard effort. ASTM D698. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2010. Standard test methods for liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils. ASTM D4318. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM D4318.
ASTM. 2014. Standard test methods for specific gravity of soil solids by water pycnometer. ASTM D854. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2016. Standard test method for California bearing ratio test of soil. ASTM D1883. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
ASTM. 2019. Standard specification for coal fly ash and raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan for use in concrete. ASTM C618. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
Ates, A. 2016. “Mechanical properties of sandy soils reinforced with cement and randomly distributed glass fibers (GRC).” Composites, Part B 96: 295–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2016.04.049.
Basha, B. M., and G. L. S. Babu. 2012. “Target reliability-based optimisation for internal seismic stability of reinforced soil structures.” Géotechnique 62 (1): 55–68. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.8.P.076.
Bell, F. G. 1996. “Lime stabilization of clay minerals and soils.” Eng. Geol. 42 (4): 223–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-7952(96)00028-2.
Bordoloi, S., A. Garg, and S. Sekharan. 2017. “A review of physio-biochemical properties of natural fibers and their application in soil reinforcement.” Adv. Civ. Eng. Mater. 6 (1): 20160076. https://doi.org/10.1520/ACEM20160076.
Bouaricha, L., A. D. Henni, and L. Lancelot. 2017. “A laboratory investigation on shear strength behavior of sandy soil: Effect of glass fiber and clinker residue content.” Stud. Geotech. Mech. 39 (4): 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1515/sgem-2017-0032.
Cai, Y., B. Shi, C. W. W. Ng, and C. S. Tang. 2006. “Effect of polypropylene fibre and lime admixture on engineering properties of clayey soil.” Eng. Geol. 87 (3–4): 230–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2006.07.007.
Chen, M., S.-L. Shen, A. Arulrajah, H.-N. Wu, D.-W. Hou, and Y.-S. Xu. 2015. “Laboratory evaluation on the effectiveness of polypropylene fibers on the strength of fiber-reinforced and cement-stabilized Shanghai soft clay.” Geotext. Geomembr. 43 (6): 515–523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2015.05.004.
Christian, J. T. 2004. “Geotechnical engineering reliability: How well do we know what we are doing?” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 130 (10): 985–1003. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2004)130:10(985).
Consoli, N. C., M. A. Arcari Bassani, and L. Festugato. 2010. “Effect of fiber-reinforcement on the strength of cemented soils.” Geotext. Geomembr. 28 (4): 344–351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2010.01.005.
Correia, A. A. S., P. J. Venda Oliveira, and D. G. Custódio. 2015. “Effect of polypropylene fibres on the compressive and tensile strength of a soft soil, artificially stabilised with binders.” Geotext. Geomembr. 43 (2): 97–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2014.11.008.
Cristelo, N., V. M. C. F. Cunha, A. Topa Gomes, N. Araújo, T. Miranda, and M. de Lurdes Lopes. 2017. “Influence of fibre reinforcement on the post-cracking behaviour of a cement-stabilised sandy-clay subjected to indirect tensile stress.” Constr. Build. Mater. 138: 163–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.02.010.
Das, B. M. 2003. Chemical and mechanical stabilization. Rep. A2J02: Committee on Chemical and Mechanical Stabilization. Washington, DC: Transportation Research Board.
Das, S. K., and P. S. Parhi. 2015. “Suitability of alkali activated fly ash binder as a stabilizing agent for highly expansive soil.” Indian Highways 43 (12): 21–26.
Davidovits, J. 1994. “Properties of geopolymer cements.” In Alkaline Cements and Concretes, 131–149. Ukraine, Europe: Scientific Research Institute on Binders and Materials.
Duncan, N. J. 2000. “Factors of safety and reliability in geotechnical engineering.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 126 (4): 307–316. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2000)126:4(307).
Elkhebu, A., A. Zainorabidin, A. Asadi, I. H. Bakar, B. B. K. Huat, L. Abdeldjouad, and W. Dheyab. 2019. “Effect of incorporating multifilament polypropylene fibers into alkaline activated fly ash soil mixtures.” Soils Found. 59 (6): 2144–2154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2019.11.015.
Gao, Z., and J. Zhao. 2013. “Evaluation on failure of fiber-reinforced sand.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 139 (1): 95–106. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000737.
GuhaRay, A., and D. K. Baidya. 2015. “Reliability-based analysis of cantilever sheet pile walls backfilled with different soil types using the finite-element approach.” Int. J. Geomech. 15 (6): 06015001. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000475.
Gupta, S., A. GuhaRay, A. Kar, and V. P. Komaravolu. 2018. “Performance of alkali-activated binder-treated jute geotextile as reinforcement for subgrade stabilization.” Int. J. Geotech. Eng. 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/19386362.2018.1464272.
Hasofer, A. M., and N. C. Lind. 1974. “A extract and invariant first order reliability format.” J. Eng. Mech. 100 (1): 111–121.
Hejazi, S. M., M. Sheikhzadeh, S. M. Abtahi, and A. Zadhoush. 2012. “A simple review of soil reinforcement by using natural and synthetic fibers.” Constr. Build. Mater. 30:100–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.11.045.
Kamaruddin, F. A. b., B. B. K. Huat, V. Anggraini, and H. Nahazanan. 2019. “Modified natural fiber on soil stabilization with lime and alkaline activation treated marine clay.” Int. J. Geomate 16 (58): 69–75. https://doi.org/10.21660/2019.58.8156.
Kar, A., I. Ray, U. B. Halabe, A. Unnikrishnan, and B. Dawson-andoh. 2014. “Characterizations and quantitative estimation of alkali-activated binder paste from microstructures.” Int. J. Concr. Struct. Mater. 8 (3): 213–228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40069-014-0069-0.
Kulhawy, F. H. 1992. “On the evaluation of soil properties.” ASCE Geotech. Spec. Publ. No. 31: 95–115.
Kumar, A., B. S. Walia, and A. Bajaj. 2007. “Influence of fly ash, lime, and polyester fibers on compaction and strength properties of expansive soil.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 19 (3): 242–248. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0899-1561(2007)19:3(242).
Lacasse, S., and F. Nadim. 1997. Uncertainties in characterizing soil properties. Oslo, Norway: Norwegian Geotechnical Institute.
Masoumi, E., S. M. Abtahi Forooshani, and F. Abdi Nian. 2013. “Problematic soft soil improvement with both polypropylene fiber and polyvinyl acetate resin.” Geotech. Geol. Eng. 31 (1): 143–149. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-012-9575-5.
Miao, S., C. Wei, X. Huang, Z. Shen, X. Wang, and F. Luo. 2017. “Stabilization of highly expansive black cotton soils by means of geopolymerization.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 29 (10): 04017170. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002023.
Mishra, B., and M. Kumar Gupta. 2018. “Use of randomly oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber in combination with fly ash in subgrade of flexible pavement.” Constr. Build. Mater. 190: 95–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.09.074.
Moghal, A. A. B., B. C. S. Chittoori, and B. M. Basha. 2018. “Effect of fibre reinforcement on CBR behaviour of lime-blended expansive soils: Reliability approach.” Road Mater. Pavement Des. 19 (3): 690–709. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2016.1272479.
Moghal, A. A. B., B. C. S. Chittoori, B. M. Basha, and M. A. Al-Shamrani. 2017. “Target reliability approach to study the effect of fiber reinforcement on UCS behavior of lime treated semiarid soil.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 29 (6): 04017014. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001835.
Olgun, M. 2013. “Effects of polypropylene fiber inclusion on the strength and volume change characteristics of cement-fly ash stabilized clay soil.” Geosynthetics Int. 20 (4): 263–275. https://doi.org/10.1680/gein.13.00016.
Orr, T. L. L. 2000. “Selection of characteristic values and partial factors in geotechnical designs to Eurocode 7.” Comput. Geotech. 26 (3–4): 263–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0266-352X(99)00042-7.
Phoon, K. K., and F. H. Kulhawy. 1999. “Evaluation of geotechnical property variability.” Can. Geotech. J. 36 (4): 625–639. https://doi.org/10.1139/t99-039.
Phummiphan, I., S. Horpibulsuk, R. Rachan, A. Arulrajah, S.-L. Shen, and P. Chindaprasirt. 2018. “High calcium fly ash geopolymer stabilized lateritic soil and granulated blast furnace slag blends as a pavement base material.” J. Hazard. Mater. 341: 257–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.07.067.
Pourakbar, S., B. B. K. Huat, A. Asadi, and M. H. Fasihnikoutalab. 2016. “Model study of alkali-activated waste binder for soil stabilization.” Int. J. Geosynthetics Ground Eng. 2 (4): 35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40891-016-0075-1.
Provis, J. L., and S. J. van Deventer. 2014. Alkali activated materials. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
Rahgozar, M. A., M. Saberian, and J. Li. 2018. “Soil stabilization with non-conventional eco-friendly agricultural waste materials: An experimental study.” Transp. Geotech. 14: 52–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2017.09.004.
Rios, S., N. Cristelo, A. Viana da Fonseca, and C. Ferreira. 2016. “Structural performance of alkali-activated soil ash versus soil cement.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 28 (2): 04015125. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001398.
Rios, S., C. Ramos, A. Viana da Fonseca, N. Cruz, and C. Rodrigues. 2019. “Mechanical and durability properties of a soil stabilised with an alkali-activated cement.” Eur. J. Environ. Civ. Eng. 23 (2): 245–267. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2016.1275987.
Sani, J. E., A. O. Bello, and C. P. Nwadiogbu. 2014. “Reliability estimate of strength characteristics of black cotton soil pavement sub-base stabilized with bagasse ash and cement kiln dust.” Civ. Environ. Res. 6 (11): 115–135.
Saride, S., A. J. Puppala, and S. R. Chikyala. 2013. “Swell-shrink and strength behaviors of lime and cement stabilized expansive organic clays.” Appl. Clay Sci. 85: 39–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2013.09.008.
Sivakumar Babu, G. L., and D. S. Murthy. 2005. “Reliability analysis of unsaturated soil slopes.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 131 (11): 1423–1428. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2005)131:11(1423).
Sivakumar Babu, G. L., and A. K. Vasudevan. 2008. “Strength and stiffness response of coir fiber-reinforced tropical soil.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 20 (9): 571–577. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0899-1561(2008)20:9(571).
Standards Australia. 1977. Methods of testing soils for engineering purposes—Soil classification tests—Determination of the linear shrinkage of a soil—Standard method. AS-1289.C4.1-1977. Sydney, Australia: Standards Australia.
Sudhakaran, S. P., A. K. Sharma, and S. Kolathayar. 2018. “Soil stabilization using bottom ash and areca fiber: Experimental investigations and reliability analysis.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 30 (8): 04018169. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002326.
Syed, M., A. Guharay, S. Agarwal, and A. Kar. 2019. “Stabilization of expansive clays by combined effects of geopolymerization and fiber reinforcement.” J. Inst. Eng. 101 (1): 163–178.
Tang, C. S., B. Shi, W. Gao, F. Chen, and Y. Cai. 2007. “Strength and mechanical behavior of short polypropylene fiber reinforced and cement stabilized clayey soil.” Geotext. Geomembr. 25 (3): 194–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2006.11.002.
Tang, C. S., J. Li, D. Y. Wang, and B. Shi. 2016a. “Investigation on the interfacial mechanical behavior of wave-shaped fiber reinforced soil by pullout test.” Geotext. Geomembr. 44 (6): 872–883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2016.05.001.
Tang, C.-S., B. Shi, J. Li, D.-Y. Wang, and Y.-J. Cui. 2016b. “Tensile strength of fiber-reinforced soil.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 28 (7): 04016031. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001546.
USACE. 1997. Engineering and design introduction to probability and reliability methods for use in geotechnical engineering. Technical Letter No. 1110-2-547. Washington, DC: USACE.
Wang, Y. X., P. P. Guo, W. X. Ren, B. X. Yuan, H. P. Yuan, Y. L. Zhao, S. B. Shan, and P. Cao. 2017. “Laboratory investigation on strength characteristics of expansive soil treated with jute fiber reinforcement.” Int. J. Geomech. 17 (11): 04017101. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000998.
Yilmaz, Y. 2015. “Compaction and strength characteristics of fly ash and fiber amended clayey soil.” Eng. Geol. 188: 168–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2015.01.018.
Zevgolis, I. E., and P. L. Bourdeau. 2010. “Probabilistic analysis of retaining walls.” Comput. Geotech. 37: 359–373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2009.12.003.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 20 • Issue 12 • December 2020
Copyright
© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 18, 2020
Accepted: Jul 30, 2020
Published online: Sep 24, 2020
Published in print: Dec 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Feb 24, 2021
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.