A Study of the Volume Change Behavior of Expansive Soils Stabilized With Tape Fibers

Expansive soils undergo volumetric changes in response to changes in their moisture content that this characteristic causes irreparable problems particularly in civil projects. Investigators have proposed chemical methods as well as mechanical treatments to stabilize the expansive soils. In this study، stabilization of expansive soil with randomly distributed fiber was investigated by reinforcing the soil with two types of synthetic fibers of the widths 3 and 5 mm. Experimental samples were prepared from static compaction with three stabilizer dosage levels of 0. 5، 1 and 1. 5% by weight of dry soil and lengths 10، 20 and 30 mm. The tests were conducted in a consolidation apparatus. The results of the study revealed that reinforcement reduces swelling characteristic of expansive soils and this reduction depending upon the percentage and the length of either types of fiber. A comparison the effects of the two types of fibers indicated that for the same content and fiber lengths، an increase in the fiber width causes more reduction in swell potential and consequently swelling pressure.