Stabilization of clayey soil using fibre reinforcement

Abstract

The paper presents experimental and numerical investigations on crack evolution during desiccation, on unsaturated, compacted and reinforced clay using natural Alfa fibres. The effect of fibre content is investigated and a comparison between experimental and numerical simulations is made. A modified model for tensile strength is updated in the finite element program CODE_BRIGHT and used to predict tensile cracks induced by desiccation on reinforced soil. The results show that the soil desiccation cracking behaviour is significantly influenced by fibre inclusion and that experimental and numerical results are in good agreement