Fibre reinforced waste based artificial soil for grass covered areas subjected to occasional vehicular traffic

This research is aimed at investigating the improvement in load bearing characteristics of a waste based artificial soil reinforced with polypropylene fibre. The soil, manufactured by mixing Sandstone Quarry Sand (SQS) and Green Waste Compost (GWC) at a ratio of 2:1 by volume, is to be used as a top layer in the construction of grassed covered areas subjected to vehicular traffic. A series of laboratory tests, including California Bearing Ratio (CBR), model footing test, and accelerated pavement testing were undertaken on reinforced and unreinforced artificial soil. Results suggest that the load bearing characteristics of the artificial soil can be greatly improved by reinforcing the soil with polypropylene fibre, under all studied conditions. Results of the model footing tests and accelerated pavement testing suggest that the polypropylene reinforced waste based artificial soil can be used as a top layer in grass covered areas subjected to occasional vehicular traffic.