Swell and compressibility of fiber reinforced expansive soils

This paper presents an experimental study evaluating the effect of polypropyl ene fiber on swell and compressibility of expansive soils. The initial phase of the expe rimental program includes the study of th e effect of polypropylene fiber on maxim um dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC) with different fiber inclusions. Static and dynamic compaction tests have been conducted on an expansive soil sample with different percentages of 0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% polypropylene fiber additions (by dry weight of the soil). The second phase of the expe rimental program focuses on the compressibility and hydraulic characteristics of the soils. The unreinforced and reinforced specimens have been prepared statically and the swell and compressibility behavior of the samples have been analy zed. Finally it is concluded that m itigation of expansive soils using polypropylene fiber might be an effective method in reducing th e swell potential and compressibili ty of subsoils on which roads and light buildings are constructed.