Mechanistic Characteristics of Processed Cellulose-Fiber Reinforced Soil-Cement Mixtures

摘要

This research study focuses on the laboratory mechanistic evaluation of soilcementrnmixtures reinforced with processed cellulose-fibers (PCF). The fibers arernderived from the processing of wood and have enhanced micro-crack stabilizationrndue to higher fiber density, high length-to-diameter ratio, bond strength and tensilernstrength. Four soil types from various project sites in the state of Louisiana werernacquired and tested. Laboratory tests including the durability, unconfinedrncompressive strength, indirect tensile strength, and indirect tensile cyclic load testsrnwere conducted on both with and without PCF soil-cement mixtures. The resultsrnindicated that the mechanistic characteristics of the PCF soil-cement mixtures werernfunctions of fiber dosage, soil-type and curing time. In general, the durability,rnunconfined compressive strength, indirect tensile strength and fracture toughnessrnvalues either remained same or exhibited higher values for PCF soil-cement mixtures.rnIt was found that optimum fiber dosage is required for soil modification. The indirectrntensile cyclic load test data indicated that the resilient modulus of the PCF soilcementrnmixtures either remained same or was greater than soil-cement mixturesrnalone. Moreover, the horizontal plastic deformation rate is significantly lower forrnsoil-cement-fiber mixtures. The implication of the results is that the PCFrnreinforcement at optimum fiber percentage may mitigate the tensile or shrinkagerncrack formation in the soil-cement mixtures for road bases thereby improving thernstructural capacity and performance of pavements.