Compressive and tensile strength of polymer-based fiber composite sand

Abstract

Traditional soil additives like Portland cement and lime are prone to cause the brittle fracture behavior of soil, and possibly, environmental impacts. This study explores the potential use of polyurethane organic polymer and sisal fiber in improving the mechanical performance of sand. The effects of polymer content, fiber content, and dry density on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and direct tensile strength (DTS) of the polymer-fiber-sand composite were evaluated. The results showed significant increase in UCS and DTS of the reinforced sand with the increase of polymer content, fiber content, and dry density. At high dry density condition, a single peaked stress — strain curve is often observed. Higher polymer content is beneficial to increasing the peak stress, while higher fiber content contributes more to the post-peak stress. The combined use of polymers and fibers in soil reinforcement effectively prevents the propagation and development of cracks under the stress. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) test was also performed to investigate the micro-structural changes and inter-particle relations. It was found through SEM images that the surface coating, bonding, and filling effects conferred by polymer matrix greatly enhance the interfacial interactions, and hence provide a cohesive environment where the strength of fibers could be readily mobilized.

Keywords

sand / soil reinforcement sisal fiber / polyurethane organic polymer / compressive strength / tensile strength

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