Abstract
This study employs the byproducts of petroleum hydrocarbons, available in abundance locally, such as polymer and polypropylene (PP) fibers and natural hemp fibers obtained from the discarded ropes for the stabilization of sand. The test parameters included polymer content, fiber type, fiber percentage, and weather temperature. The polymer percentages used for the stabilization of sand were: 1.5%, 1.75%, 2.00%, and 2.25% by weight of sand. The percentages of PP fibers were 0.5% and 1%, whereas the percentages of recycled hemp fibers were 1% and 2% by weight. The direct shear, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and modulus rupture tests were used for the assessment of the performance of the modified sand. The effect of exposure to the elevated weather temperature and subsequent cooling was also investigated for a selected polymer content. A total of 210 specimens were tested for different tests. The optimal percentages of polymer and fibers are obtained experimentally for achieving the best performance of the polymer modified fiber reinforced soil. The PP fibers are found to outperform the recycled hemp fibers in terms of the shear strength characteristics of the modified sand. The loss in UCS of polymer modified fiber reinforced sand due to the exposure to the elevated temperature of 80 degrees C is regained on cooling by 85%-100%. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.