Bearing Capacity Analysis of Bagasse Ash Reinforced with Polypropylene Fiber

Soil behavior is the most important parameter while constructing any civil engineering structure because the transmission of load from the structure to subsoil depends on it. The soil stabilization or soil reinforcement or their combination is done for improving the properties of soft soil to counter the said problem. Keeping in view the economy and feasibility, the applicable method is chosen out of different available methods or techniques. Among all these methods, the soil reinforcing technique is most widely accepted in comparison with others. In the present study, the use of agricultural waste (i.e. sugarcane bagasse ash) at different depths over sand and that reinforced with the waste of the industries (i.e. waste polypropylene fiber) has been discussed. Various basic tests had been performed including Atterberg limit, MDD at OMC. A series of plate load tests had been performed to evaluate the bearing capacity of randomly reinforced compacted bagasse ash at different depths (0.5B, 1B, 1.5B), different fiber lengths (4 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm), and different percentages (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%). A square tank of 60 × 60 cm and 10 cm of square footing is used. It can be observed that with the increase in the thickness of bagasse ash, the value of BCR increases. It is also noticed that with the increase in Fiber content at the same thickness, BCR increases. A further test had been performed in which Fiber length increases at the same thickness and Fiber content, the value of BCR increases. At S/B % level, the load-carrying capacity increase with the increase in Fiber content, Fiber length, and thickness of the bagasse layer.