The possibility of soil improvement by the random reinforcement method

Abstract

Synthetic fibres are a relatively new and interesting option for soil reinforcement. We can find information about this kind of improvement of soil properties under terms Iike "micro reinforcement", "fibre reinforcement" or "random reinforcement". The simplest explanation of this technology is that we try to improve the properties of soils by mixing them with synthetic short fibres (with lengths from 10 mm to 100 mm) to increase their bearing capacity and shear stress characteristics. An effort to explore the idea of random reinforcement led to the research which was carried out in the Czech Republic between the years 2007 to 2009 by ARCADIS Geotechnika, a.s. with the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic support. Random reinforcement in this case is presented by the synthetic fibres with a length of up to 70 mm. This research consisted of random reinforcement method's desk study, extensive laboratory testing, two trials on site and mathematical modelling with assessment of ecological risk. The laboratory testing involved six different laboratory trials with three different types of soil, two different kinds of synthetic fibres, two lengths of these fibres and four different concentrations of the used fibres. The trials on site were carried out to compare the laboratory results with the in-situ (real) ones.