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Load Settlement Characteristics of Model Footings Resting on Surface Treated Coir Fiber Reinforced BC Soil Overlying Loose Stratum



Author(s)

Jairaj¹, M. T. Prathap Kumar² and Ganapathi Gayithri³

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DOI:10.17265/2328-2193/2017.02.006

1 Department of Civil Engineering, NMIT Bangaluru 560064 and Resarch Scholar, GCE, Ramanagara 571511, India
2. Department of Civil Engineering, RNS Institute of Technology, Bengaluru 560098, India
3. Department of Civil Engineering, NMIT, Bangaluru 560064, India

In nature there are situations where in foundation had to be placed over loose soil deposits. In such cases, deep foundations are recommended which increases cost of the structure. Black cotton soils, because of its high swelling and shrinkage characteristics, have been a challenge to geotechnical engineers, increasing the strength of Clayey soil which is formed introducing randomly distributed fibers results in comparatively more homogeneous soil mixture and is one of the popular methods of soil stabilization. In the present study, model footing resting on BC soil reinforced with optimum percentage of treated and untreated coir fiber underlain by loose soil deposit was conducted to study its influence on bearing capacity and settlement. Loose soil deposit has been simulated by compacting sawdust in prefabricated steel tank. BC soil reinforced with optimum percentage of treated and untreated coir fibers has been compacted over loose sawdust and load settlement characteristics were determined at various D/B ratio of 1, 2, 3 and for different sized model footings. The results indicated that settlement of model footings is significantly small at lower D/B = 1 and 2 ratios. Bearing capacity of BC soil is also found to be significantly affected by fiber reinforcement.

Black cotton soil, model footing, treated coir fiber, bearing capacity factor, RDF.