Effect of Natural Fiber on Durability and Strength of Problematic Soils Stabilized with Novel Persian Gum as an Environmentally Friendly Biopolymer

Résumé fourni par la source

Biopolymers are used for soil stabilization with no environmental impact. Due to the hydrophilicity and solubility of biopolymers, their durability is of concern. This paper investigates the effect of using kenaf fiber (KF) to reinforce a silty sand (SM) stabilized with Persian gum (PG) on the sample durability. The soil was mixed with 2%, 2.5%, and 3% PG and reinforced with 1% KF. Durability tests were performed on the stabilized reinforced samples using wet-drying cycles (WDCs). The results showed that adding 2.5% PG was optimum and increased the durability of the stabilized sample up to three WDCs. In contrast, the durability of the PG-stabilized KF-reinforced specimens was improved up to 12 WDCs. Also, the sample unconfined compressive strength (UCS) reduction in the first three WCDs was approximately 56% after 28 days of curing. The mass loss variation showed that the KFs prevent the washing of soil and stabilizer by 38% compared to the unreinforced PG-stabilized specimen. Also, the ultrasonic pulse velocity decreased with an increase in WDCs, indicating specimen mass loss. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the KFs surrounded the soil particles by creating a three-dimensional network and enclosing soil grains. Such a network prevents the washing of materials and the propagation and growth of microcracks.

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