Influence of Polypropylene Fibre (PF) Reinforcement on Mechanical Properties of Clay Soil

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of polypropylene fibre (PF) reinforcement on the mechanical behaviour of clay soil. Using clay soil and polypropylene fibres from China’s Inner Mongolia and Hebei Provinces, respectively, a series of soil samples with 0%, 1.5%, 2.25%, and 3% PF content by soil weight were subjected to compaction, shear strength, consolidation, California bearing ratio, and microstructure analyses. The study results indicate improved compaction, shear strength, consolidation, and the bearing ratio of the PF-stabilised clay soil. As the PF content increased, its maximum dry density increased and its optimum moisture content decreased; its angle of internal friction increased and its cohesion coefficient decreased; and its void ratio, consolidation coefficient, and hydraulic conductivity all decreased. Comparing the unstabilised (0% PF) and stabilised (3% PF) clay soil, the void ratio, consolidation coefficient, and hydraulic conductivity decreased from 0.96 to 0.93, from 2.52 to 2.34 cm2/s, and from 1.12 to 1.02 cm/s, respectively. The optimum PF content was determined to be 3% by the weight of the soil, as this quantity resulted in the best improvement in soil properties.