Evaluation of fiber reinforcement on the strength behaviors of dredging slurry cemented at high water content

Abstract

This study evaluates the strength behaviors of dredging slurry at high water content reinforced by polypropene fibers. Variables, including cement content, curing time, fiber content, fiber length, and water content, were applied to study the effects on the strength of the treated slurry. The unconfined compressive strength was lower with slurry at higher initial water content at 174% than that at 145% at given cement content regardless of fiber contents; and that increases with increasing fiber content at all cement contents at the water content of 174%; whereas, the effect was less significant at water content of 145%. The fiber length was not observed to affect the strength of the treated slurry in this study. The fiber-soil network would form and be enhanced by the hydration products of cement, limiting the development of cracks. The cement content and curing time dominate the stress–strain behaviors of dredging slurry. In addition, three forms of failure were observed with fiber-reinforced dredging slurry. The admixture of polypropylene fiber would restrict the development of cracks upon failure, improving the brittleness and increasing strain at failure of treated slurry.

Keywords

• Fiber reinforcement
• Dredging slurry
• High water content
• Unconfined compressive strength
• Failure