Effectiveness and Sensitivity of Fiber Inclusion on Desiccation Cracking Behavior of Reinforced Clayey Soil

Abstract

This research paper aims to comprehensively investigate the effectiveness and sensitivity of fiber inclusion on the behavior of a clayey soil subjected to desiccation. A series of laboratory experiments including desiccation shrinkage and cracking tests were performed for both unreinforced and reinforced specimens. Polypropylene fiber was used in this study to reinforce the soil, with different fiber contents (FCs; 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%) and fiber lengths (FLs; 6, 12, and 18 mm). The results showed that the desiccation cracking behavior of the soil was significantly affected by the addition of fibers. Desiccation cracking was found to be reduced effectively with increasing the FC; however, interestingly the effect of varying FL was not significant. In addition, the relevant underlying mechanism is discussed. © 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.