EFFECT OF RANDOM INCLUSION OF BAMBOO FIBERS ON STRENGTH BEHAVIOUR OF FLYASH TREATED BLACK COTTON SOIL

This paper describes the compaction and strength behaviour of fly ash treated black cotton soil (BC soil) reinforced with bamboo fibers. The optimum percentage of fly ash was found to be 20% by weight of soil. Bamboo fiber of average diameter 0.45 mm and 25 mm length is used in this study. It was randomly included into the fly ash treated soil at four different percentages of fiber content, i.e. 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1% (by weight). The reinforced soil samples were subjected to unconfined compression test and compaction tests. It is found that strength properties of optimum combination of BC soil-fly ash specimens reinforced with bamboo fibers is appreciably better than untreated BC soil. An optimum fiber content of 1% (by weight) is recommended for strengthening flyash treated BC soil.