Strength Enhancement of Fibre Reinforced Peat with Fly Ash as Stabilized Subgrade Layer

Abstract:

High content of organic matter and fibre within peat results in a high degree of porosity; causing peat to have low bearing capacity. This study focuses on the application of nylon fibre as reinforcing material with fly ash as the chemical stabilizer to enhance the strength of the peat. The standard proctor tests were conducted to obtain the optimum moisture content (OMC) for all samples in which these OMC is then used for sample preparation of both the Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) tests and the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests. Samples for this study were categorized into control samples and modified samples for comparison purposes. Additives that were being used in this study are 5% cement, 5% nylon fibre and 10%, 15%, and 20% fly ash. For UCS test, the samples were cured for 7, 14, 28 and 56 days, whereas only 7 days of curing for CBR test. Throughout the study, improvements of strength were observed where sample added with 5% cement, 5% nylon fibre and 10% fly ash recorded the highest compressive strength value, of 123.71 kN/m2. As for CBR test, all samples exceeded the minimum requirement of 12% CBR value for subgrade design recommended by JKR Malaysia with the highest CBR value obtained from samples added with 5% cement and 10% fly ash. The CBR values were 43.85% and 43.70% for unsoaked and soaked condition, respectively.

• Periodical: Defect and Diffusion Forum (Volume 411)
• Pages: 109-120
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/DDF.411.109
• Online since: September 2021
• Authors: Siti Rozana Romali, Norazzlina M. Sa’don*, Abdul Razak Abdul Karim
• Keywords: CBR, Fly Ash, Nylon Fibre, Peat, Unconfined Compressive Strength

References

[1] Rahman, Z. A., Lee, J. Y. Y., Rahim, S. A., Lihan, T., & Idris, W. M. R. Application of Gypsum and Fly Ash as Additives in Stabilization of Tropical Peat Soil. Journal of Applied Sciences 15(7) (2015) 1006–1012.

DOI: 10.3923/jas.2015.1006.1012

[2] Zainorabidin, A., & Wijeyesekera, D. Geotechnical Challenges with Malaysian Peat. Proceedings of the Advances in Computing and Technology 2nd Annual Conference University of East London, UK (2007).

[3] Sa'don, N. M., Abdul Karim, A. R., Taib, S. N. L., & Yusof, M. Strength Properties of Reinforced Peat Using Fibre-Polyester and Shredded Rubber-Crumb as Reinforcement Material. International Journal of Engineering & Technology 7 (2018) 26–30.

DOI: 10.14419/ijet.v7i3.18.16667

[4] Sa'don, N. M., Abdul Karim, A. R., Jaol, W., & Wan Lili, W. H. Sarawak Peat Characteristics and Heat Treatment. UNIMAS E-Journal of Civil Engineering Sarawak 6–12 (2015).

DOI: 10.33736/jcest.139.2014

[5] Raghunandan, M. E., & Sriraam, A. S. An overview of the basic engineering properties of Malaysian peats. Geoderma Regional 11 (2017) 1–7.

DOI: 10.1016/j.geodrs.2017.08.003

[6] Huat, B.B. ., Kazemian, S., Prasad, A., & Barghchi, M. State of an art review of peat: General perspective. International Journal of the Physical Sciences 6(8) (2011) 1988–(1996).

[7] Michelin. Tire Manufacturing | How A Tire Is Made | Michelin US. https://www.michelinman.com/US/ en/help/how-is-a-tire-made.html (2017).

[8] Jia, N., & Kagan, V. A. Mechanical Performance of Polyamides with Influence of Moisture and Temperature – Accurate Evaluation and Better Understanding. Plastics Failure Analysis and Prevention (2001) 95–104.

DOI: 10.1016/b978-188420792-1.50014-7

[9] Kolay, P., Aminur, M. R., Taib, S. N. L., & Mohd Zain, M. I. S. Stabilization of Tropical Peat Soil from Sarawak with Different Stabilizing Agents. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering 29(6) (2011) 1135–1141.

DOI: 10.1007/s10706-011-9441-x

[10] Mesri, G., & Ajlouni, M. Engineering Properties of Fibrous Peats. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering 133(4) (2007) 349–359.

DOI: 10.1061/(asce)1090-0241(2007)133:7(850)

[11] Teong, I.T., & Ngee, F.L.L. Geochemical Properties of Peat Soil in Sarawak - A Review. Applied Mechanics and Materials 773 (2015) 1417–1421.

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.773-774.1417

[12] Elbagermi, M., Hamoda, W., Ben-Hmida, E., & Edwards, H. Quality Assessment of the Various Brands of Portland Cement Available in the Libyan Market. J. Mater. Environ. Sci 10(12) (2019) 12.

[13] Lawry, J., Ray, A., Klimesch, D., Thomas, P., Guerbois, J. P., & Harrison, J. Thermal characterization of portland cement-magnesia blends. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry 80(3) (2005) 637–641.

DOI: 10.1007/s10973-005-0706-6

[14] Borsoi, A., Collepardi, S., Coppola, L., Troli, R., & Collepardi, M. Effect of Superplasticizer Type on Performance of High-Volume Fly Ash Concrete. Aci Special 195 (2000) 17–28.

DOI: 10.14359/9902

[15] Ropp, R. C. Group 16 (O, S, Se, Te) Alkaline Earth Compounds. In: Ropp, RC. (Ed.) Encyclopedia of the Alkaline Earth Compounds. Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, (2013).

DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-59550-8.00003-x

[16] Burghaus, U. Surface science studies of carbon dioxide chemistry. New and future developments in catalysis. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2013, Pp.27-47.

DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-53882-6.00003-6

[17] Tremblay, H., Duchesne, J., Locat, J., & Leroueil, S. Influence of the nature of organic compounds on fine soil stabilization with cement. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 39(3) (2002) 535–546.

DOI: 10.1139/t02-002

[18] Saberian, M., & Rahgozar, M. A. Geotechnical properties of peat soil stabilised with shredded waste tyre chips in combination with gypsum, lime or cement. Mires and Peat 18 (2016) 1–16.

[19] Sutter, L. Comparison of Class C Versus Class F Fly Ash for Concrete Pavement. 0092 (2015).

[20] Tang, C. S., Shi, B., & Zhao, L. Z. Interfacial shear strength of fibre reinforced soil. Geotextiles and Geomembranes 28(1) (2010) 54–62.

DOI: 10.1016/j.geotexmem.2009.10.001