Behaviour of reinforced sand with synthetic fibres in a centrifuge

Abstract

This study describes the effects of adding randomly distributed polyolefine monofilamente fibres on the behaviour of medium-fine sand in a loose condition. Direct shear tests and centrifuge tests were performed on sand specimens with a void ratio (e) of 0.9 and water content of 11.5%. The reinforced sand had a fibre content of 0.25%. An increase in the peak shear strength with a factor of 1.085 on average is observed. Centrifuge tests show that for slopes that are reinforced the period until failure is extended. The location of shear band formation and patch displacement behaviour indicate that the design of slope reinforcement has a significant effect on the failure behaviour.