Effects of fiber on swell of expansive soils

One-dimensional odometer swell tests were conducted to investigate the effects of geo-fiber on swelling characteristics of expansive soils from Saudi Arabia. Samples were prepared with varying fiber contents (0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.0%) by dry weight of the expansive soil. Replicate tests were performed to ascertain the variations in test results, if any. It was observed that there was practically no variation in the results of the replicate tests. In addition to the swell tests, unconfined compression tests were performed to study the effects of geo-fiber on unconfined compressive strength of the tested soil. Test results indicated that the addition of fiber reduced the free swell percentage and swelling pressure of the tested soil. As the fiber content increased, both the swell percentage and swelling pressure of the expansive soil decreased. The unconfined compressive strength was increased by increasing fiber content for soils compacted at the same dry density and water content. Copyright © 2010 by The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE), China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), SK Energ