Effect of polypropylene fibre and curing period on unconfined compressive strength of cemented-black cotton soil

Abstract

This paper discussed the effect of polypropylene fibre and curing period on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of cemented-black cotton soil. Various combinations of polypropylene fibres and cement have been taken and the UCS values of the treated black cotton soil specimens were determined after 3, 7 and 28days of curing. The study divulged that the mixing of polypropylene fibre increases UCS of cemented-black cotton soil. The rise in strength depends on the curing period. The 28days strength is 50 to 90% more than the corresponding 3days strength. The maximum enhancement of UCS from 969 to 2431kPa is achieved by adding 1% polypropylene fibre in cemented-black cotton soil having 15% cement after a curing period of 28days. The UCS of cemented-soil with 5% cement content, (Cc) and 1% polypropylene fibre is 781kPa which corresponds to the UCS of cemented-black cotton soil with 12% cement alone after a curing period of 28days. Thus, polypropylene fibre might be an economical admixture to enhance the performance of soil-cement column stabilised black cotton soil.