A study on compaction characteristics and C.B.R. of embankment fill stabilized by hemp fiber

Abstract

This research aimed to study compaction properties and California Bearing Ratio (C.B.R.) of road embankment soils stabilized by hemp sack fibers. The hemp sack fibers of 0, 25, 50 and 75 g. were mixed into 7,000 g of soil. The mixed soils were compacted in the laboratory to determine an optimal water content (OWC) subjected to a modified proctor energy. The compacted samples at the OWC were then used to conduct the C.B.R. test. The tested results showed that an increasing of the hemp sack fiber resulted in dry density reduction of 2.100, 2.052, 2.029 and 2.015 g/cm³. The soil swelling values increased to 0.4%, 0.9%, 1.8%, and 2.3%, and the C.B.R. effect is 14.2%, 19.2%, 20.9%, and 13.9%, respectively. Increasing the amount of hemp sack fiber results in a decrease in dry density and an increase in soil swelling, which reduces the soil's load capacity. Therefore, the optimal ratio is the amount of 50 g. of hemp sack fiber per 7,000 g. of soil, with the highest C.B.R. value of 20.9%, swelling value of 1.8%, and dry density of 2.029 g/cm³.