Assessing the use of Polyethylene Terephthalate fibre in reinforcement of lime-stabilised expansive soils
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Date
2024-05-02
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Uganda Christian University
Abstract
Expansive soils are soils associated with constant volumetric change due to alternations
in the moisture present in such soils, and such volume variations can lead to the
expansive soils being unsuitable for use as subgrade material. The research was focused
on the use of Polyethylene Terephthalate fibre in the reinforcement of hydrated limestabilised expansive soils to improve the properties of these soils. The research had
specific objectives which were achieved by following a methodology that had
implemented laboratory tests such as Sieve analysis, Atterberg Limits, California
Bearing Ratio, Unconfined Compressive Strength, Free Swell Index, and Proctor
Compaction on the neat soil along with other samples with a constant 6% content of
Lime and varying percentages of fibre from 0 % to 2 %. There was a Tensile strength test
done on the fibre. The tests were done following a given set of standards, after which
the results on the neat sample found the soil to be expansive clayey soils and the fibrereinforced soil that was lime stabilised had the optimum mix ratio of 6% lime and 1.5 %
fibre. The optimum mix ratio had a California Bearing Ratio of 54 % and an Unconfined
Compressive Strength of 0.59 MPa. The results of the soil mixed with 1.5 % fibre and 6
% lime all matched the standards of subgrade material according to the Ministry of
Works and Transport, General Specifications for Road and Bridge Works, 2005 manual.
This implied that hydrated lime and Polyethylene Terephthalate fibre can be
implemented in the improvement of properties of expansive soils to acceptable
standards for subgrade material. There is a need for more research into the use of other
fibres in the reinforcement of lime-stabilised soils.