Comparative Study on Bearing Capacity of Bottom Ash–Stabilized Soil Mixed with Natural and Synthetic Fibers

Abstract

This article assesses the strength behavior of bottom ash (BA)–stabilized soil mixed with different fibers through a series of laboratory tests. Optimum BA and fiber percentage were obtained by small scale lab tests like compaction tests and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests. From compaction tests with varying proportions of BA (10, 20, 30, and 40 %), the optimum BA content was found to be 30 %. With this optimum BA content, UCS tests were conducted on soil-BA mix with different fibers (coir, areca, sisal, and polyvinyl alcohol) at various percentages (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 %) to find the optimum fiber content. A set of model footing tests were done to check the credibility of using fibers as a strengthening material beneath footing to upgrade the engineering properties of soil to make a reasonable subsoil for the foundation. A total of six model footing tests were performed on raw soil, on soil with optimum BA content, and on BA–stabilized soil mixed with different fibers in their optimum percentage (1.5 %). The bearing capacity of unstabilized unreinforced soil was found to increase significantly with the inclusion of fibers.