Dark cotton garden soil is usually accumulated near KSRM college or university regarding KADAPA is usually stabilized along with arbitrarily sent out Polypropylene fibers’ in addition to Nonwoven geo-textile along with unique u/d rate in addition to yellow sand content material regarding 5, 10 in addition to 15 per cent through excess weight. The actual CBR testing have been carried out inside the laboratory work for unique combination size regarding fibers in addition to geo-textile along with dark-colored silk cotton garden soil. Substantial enhancement can be found in this CBR benefit regarding dark-colored silk cotton garden soil.

1. http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 352 editor@iaeme.com
International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 7, Issue 2, March-April 2016, pp. 352–358, Article ID: IJCIET_07_02_031
Available online at
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=7&IType=2
Journal Impact Factor (2016): 9.7820 (Calculated by GISI) www.jifactor.com
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
© IAEME Publication
AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON EFFECT
OF REINFORCEMENT IN POLYMER AND
FIBER FORMS ON CBR VALUE
V. Ramesh Babu
Assistant Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
K.S.R.M. College of Engineering
Kadapa, AP, India
Dr. B. Ramesh Babu
Principal, Ananthalakshmi College of Engineering
Anantapur, AP, India
ABSTRACT
Dark cotton garden soil is usually accumulated near KSRM college or
university regarding KADAPA is usually stabilized along with arbitrarily sent
out Polypropylene fibers’ in addition to Nonwoven geo-textile along with
unique u/d rate in addition to yellow sand content material regarding 5, 10 in
addition to 15 per cent through excess weight. The actual CBR testing have
been carried out inside the laboratory work for unique combination size
regarding fibers in addition to geo-textile along with dark-colored silk cotton
garden soil. Substantial enhancement can be found in this CBR benefit
regarding dark-colored silk cotton garden soil.
Key words: CBR, Polymer and HDPE
Cite this Article: V. Ramesh Babu and Dr. B. Ramesh Babu. An
Experimental Study on Effect of Reinforcement In Polymer and Fiber Forms
on CBR Value, International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology,
7(2), 2016, pp. 352–358.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=7&IType=2
1. INTRODUCTION
The technique of strengthened earth will be based upon the actual basic principle
regarding Vidal, in line with which often, introduction regarding reinforcing factors in
a dirt large improves the shear amount of resistance in the moderate. In software
regarding strengthened dirt, there is certainly continual argument about the impact
regarding sort of the actual encouragement. Further, effectiveness regarding

2. An Experimental Study on Effect of Reinforcement In Polymer and Fiber Forms on CBR
Value
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 353 editor@iaeme.com
encouragement operate throughout immersed ailments will be a different place, which
often calls for detailed brought on.
Lately the actual uses regarding fibers in several career fields include gained much
importance. Many studies on dirt strengthened fibers are already described. Fiber-
reinforced soil demonstrated this material could be some sort of useful as well as less
expensive way of encouragement regarding bass speaker class soil throughout
versatile streets [1]. Which have a practical systematically strengthened soil, at
random distributed dietary fiber strengthened soil display many advantages. At
random, distributed fibers provide strength isotropy as well as limited possible plane
regarding weak point that could acquire parallel for you to driven encouragement [2].
The means of reinforcing the actual dirt improves the firmness as well as heap hauling
ability in the dirt by way of frictional discussion relating to the dirt and the
encouragement [3]. Material is utilized to gauge some sort of technique pertaining to
blocking fracture innovations throughout dirt as a result of desiccation by means of
quick polymeric fibers. The add-on regarding at random distributed, discrete tensile
encouragement factors throughout dirt gives a possible treatment for the situation
regarding sloughing instability regarding levees [4]. This sort of factors can be found
as polypropylene fibers. There is risk of the use of dietary fiber reinforcing throughout
dirt because it will be growing the effectiveness of the actual dirt by reducing
desiccation great.
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENT STUDY
The objectives of the present experimental study are;
 To evaluate the effectiveness of form of reinforcement with specific reference to
planar and randomly distributed forms.
 To assess the role of soaking on reinforcement mechanism in terms of CBR
value.
 It further includes the optimum fiber content and that is yielding
maximum CBR for the materials used in this dissertation.
 To know the optimum depth of reinforced zone/Position of reinforcement.
3. LITERATURE REVIEW
A review of the literature revealed that various laboratory investigations have been
conducted on fiber-reinforced materials. The followings are the summaries of past
experimental research on the behavior of reinforced sand and clay.
Choudhary et al., (2010): carried out compilation of CBR tests on at random sturdy
soil through numerous portion associated with Large Solidity Polyethylene (HDPE)
pieces along with different program plans and ratios. Connection between CBR tests
proven which inclusion associated with HDPE pieces inside soil along with correct
volumes much better durability and deformation habits associated with subgrade
garden soil drastically. The actual tests were carried out on numerous strip material
associated with 0. 0%, 0. 25%, 0. 50%, 1. 0%, a couple of. 0% and 4. 0%.
Amin and Hamid., (2012): looked into the effects associated with soluble fiber
inclusion on CBR proportion. Some CBR tests were carriedout to evaluate side effects
associated with reinforcing the subgrade soil inside sidewalk method along with at
random distributed cheap fibres. In this study, just one style of soil (i. e. silty sand)
and two forms of soluble fiber were used.

3. V. Ramesh Babu and Dr. B. Ramesh Babu
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Naeini and Mirzakhanlari., (2008): carried out CBR tests to analyze the stress
sexual penetration behavior involving reinforced granular soil together with geo-
textile. Setting geo-textile in a number of interesting depth within just sample height
in a and a couple of tiers, the consequences involving the amount of geo- fabric
around the raise throughout bearing potential involving reinforced granular soil and
grading with efficiency involving geo-textile is actually discussed.
Bijayananda et 's., (2011): performed series of laboratory work drenched and
unsoaked CBR tests with aimlessly driven dietary fiber reinforced and unreinforced
garden soil examples compressed in OMC and MDD. A couple forms of aimlessly
spread under the radar fabric, polypropylene (synthetic) and coir (natural) were
employed to enhance your picked subgrade garden soil.
Senthil Kumar and Pandiammal Devi., (2011): performed CBR tests utilizing coir
and jute geo-textile. Your CBR support rate is used for the pattern involving unpaved
road, your CBR support rate value with the subgrade reinforced together with geo-
textile is actually obtained through conducting CBR check, to analyze the
consequence with the healthy geo-textiles around the delicate subgrade.
Writeup on novels offered earlier mentioned have usually demonstrated which,
energy with the garden soil has been enhanced through addition involving geo-textile,
geo-grid and healthy, manmade, Palm, LDPE and HDPE fabric. A lot of the work has
been carried out with remote and silty soil regarding increasing it's energy by
employing man made and healthy taken care of or perhaps unattended fabric. Your
swelling and shrinking behaviour involving delicate subgrades (Black natural cotton
soil) would be the major bring about for the destruction of pavement structure.
Preserving because each one of these earlier work, laboratory work investigation
is actually set up with Dark-colored natural cotton garden soil together with
polypropylene and nonwoven geo-textile support in the present study. The purpose of
that survey is usually to assess involving CBR beliefs involving crushed stone caused
through dietary fiber and geo-textile addition.
MATERIALS AND EXPERIMENTAL METHODOLOGY
The effectiveness of using reinforced soil for improving the CBR value has studied,
CBR tests will conduct on samples reinforced with fibers and geo-textiles. This paper
provides in detail the physical and engineering properties of the materials used in the
present work and also the testing procedure for performing the experiment
investigations.
MATERIALS USED IN LABORATORY TESTING
The properties of the materials used for the experimental investigation are discussed
below. The type of material used in the investigation was black cotton soil. The
properties of the black cotton soil are presented below.
Black Cotton Soil
Expansive soils are commonly found in arid and semi arid regions. In India, about
20% of the soil cover is comprises of expansive soils also commonly known as black
cotton soil. Principally such soils contain montmorillonite as main clay mineral and
they exhibit high swelling and shrinkage with the seasonal moisture fluctuations. The
B.C soils are also varying in their clay content and activity from region to region.

4. An Experimental Study on Effect of Reinforcement In Polymer and Fiber Forms on CBR
Value
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In the present study black cotton soil is collected near KSRM College at
KADAPA.
Sand
The Sand used in the present study is collected locally.
Polypropylene Fiber
Polypropylene fiber is a chemically inactive additive.
Nonwoven Geo-textile
Nonwoven geo-textiles are manufactured from high quality polypropylene staple
fibers. The fibers are mechanically bonded through needle-punching to form a strong,
flexible and dimensionally stable fabric structure with optimum pore sizes and high
permeability. The geo-textile is resistant to chemicals and biological organisms
normally found in soils and are stabilized against degradation due to short-term
exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Nonwoven geo-textiles confirm to the following
property values.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
The objective of this study was to find out the increase in strength mobilization in
terms of CBR values, by conducting CBR tests on the subgrade soil when reinforced
with polypropylene fiber with varying contents and Nonwoven geo-textile placed at
different positions.
Preparation of Specimen
In this method, a known quantity of air-dried soil passing 20mm sieve was taken and
mixed with requisite water to get OMC and percentage of sand i.e.5%, 10% and 15%
placed in layers with polypropylene fiber contents of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5% and
nonwoven geo-textile is placed with u/d ratio of 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0.
The samples were prepared by dynamic compaction method. The CBR cylindrical
mould having 150 mm inner diameter and 175mm height and, a cylindrical plunger of
50mm diameter is used for testing. Calculated quantity of wet soil was transferred to
mould and compacted with a light weight hammer of 2.6kg having drop of 310mm,
each layer being given 56 blows. Top surface was scratched and polypropylene fiber
reinforced sand is poured uniformly. Soil was put in the next layer and compacted as
in the previous case and fiber reinforced sand is poured in second layer. Finally soil
was put in third layer and compacted. After compacting another filter paper is kept on
the specimen and then placed the surcharge disc over it.
A second group of CBR tests were conducted on geo-textile reinforced sand
specimens under same soil and loading conditions. Instead of fiber inclusions, a
second sheet of the geo-textile was employed for reinforced sand systems in these
tests. Geo-textile reinforced sand is placed in two layers with u/d ratios of 0.6, 0.8 and
1.0. Where ‘u’ is the depth of geo-textile reinforcement from the surface, ‘d’ is
diameter of plunger. Schematic representations of the test specimens are shown in
Fig.1
In order to obtain the soaked CBR values, the specimens were soaked for 96 hours
before loading the specimen. To soak the specimen, the specimen in the mould and
surcharge weight was wrapped in a gunny bag and kept immersed in water. The
mould, after four days of soaking is taken out and water is allowed to drain off. The

5. V. Ramesh Babu and Dr. B. Ramesh Babu
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 356 editor@iaeme.com
sample, along with the surcharge, is then subjected to loading. Photographic shows
the preparation of sample and CBR specimen in Fig.2 (a) and (b).
Penetration Piston
d
Geo-textile-reinforced sand
Figure 1 Cross section of test setup
a) b)
Figure 2 Photographic shows a) CBR specimen b) Preparation of sample
CBR Testing
The Fig 3 shows photograph of California bearing ratio test setup. The methodology
includes characterization of the materials used, the CBR values as per IS: 2720(Part-
16) - (1987) [28].
The mould containing the specimen, with the base plate in position shall be placed
on the lower plate of the testing machine. Annular surcharge weight equal intensity of
u
Clay

6. An Experimental Study on Effect of Reinforcement In Polymer and Fiber Forms on CBR
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base material and the pavement is placed to prevent upheaval of soil. Penetration
plunger is inserted in between the annular weight then adjusted to make contact with
the specimen. Specimens were tested in a load frame, which gives the display of loads
and penetrations. A standard plunger of 50mm diameter was penetrated into the soil at
the rate of 0.625mm/minute. The load values corresponding to penetrations of 0.5mm,
1.0mm, 1.5mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm, 4.0mm, 5.0mm, 7.5mm, 10mm and 12.5mm
were noted.CBR value is expressed as a percentage of the actual load causing the
penetrations of 2.5 mm or 5.0 mm to the standard loads. The greatest value calculated
for penetrations at 2.5mm and 5.0mm will be recorded as the CBR value. From the
load - penetration graphs, CBR value was calculated as the highest value obtained
from the ratio of test load divided by the standard load and expressed in percentage.
The California bearing ratio is calculated as follows:
CBR (%) = x 100
Figure 3 California Bearing Ratio test setup
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Laboratory tests were conducted on black cotton soil with different 5%, 10% and 15%
sand content. The CBR values were studied with 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5%
polypropylene fiber content and nonwoven geo-textile with u/d ratio 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0.
CBR values expressed in percentage for different cases are summarized, in which the
initial CBR refers to percentage CBR obtained for soil alone without any reinforced
material. The experimental results give a clear indication that the presence of fiber
and nonwoven geo-textile influences the CBR of the soil. The improvement in
strength of soil due to the addition of fiber and placement of geo-textile is a function
of interaction of fiber and geo-textile with the sand. It was observed that there exists
interaction between sands reinforced systematically with fiber and geo-textile in
soaked and unsoaked condition.
5. CONCLUSIONS
Laboratory test results for polypropylene fiber and nonwoven geo-textile with
different sand content of 5% , 10% and 15% have been presented in the paper .Based
on the investigations carried out in this project work the following conclusions were
made;
 The California bearing ratio (CBR) value can be improved phenomenally by
reinforcing the material in both planar and in randomly distributed fiber forms.
 The CBR increases with the increase in sand content at an optimum fiber content of
2.0% and geo-textile at u/d =0.8.
 The improvement in CBR of randomly distributed fiber form has increased from
1.05% to 2.75% with a percentage increase of 55% in soaked condition and 2.99% to
4.77% with a percentage increase of 30% in unsoaked condition is achieved when
2.0% fiber content is used.
 For the materials used in this study, The maximum improvement in CBR of geo-
textile has increased from 1.05% to 2.67% with a percentage increase of 50% in
soaked condition and 2.99% to 4.37% with a percentage increase of 20% in unsoaked
condition is achieved when the layer of geo-textile is placed at u/d=0.8.
 The investigations showed that, reinforcement effect is present even under soaked
conditions.

7. V. Ramesh Babu and Dr. B. Ramesh Babu
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