Behavior of granular soils reinforced with discrete randomly oriented inclusions

Abstract Load-deformation behavior of sand reinforced with discrete randomly oriented inclusions depends, among other factors, on particle shape and size of the sand. This paper presents a study in which laboratory data were obtained from triaxial tests performed on fine sand with subrounded particles and medium sand with subangular particles reinforced with glass fibers and polypropylene pulp and mesh elements. Tests were performed on sand specimens with inclusions in varying lengths and contents and tested at different confining stresses. Results indicated that short inclusions require a great confining stress to prevent bond failure despite sand type. Soil-inclusion friction interaction depends mainly on the extensibility of the inclusions. Fine sand with subrounded particles showed a more favorable response to fiber reinforcement than medium sand with subangular particles. The mesh elements were superior to glass fibers in improving sand strength especially in the case of fine sand.