Cyclic response of coir fibre-reinforced sand

Abstract

The reinforcement technique is a better choice to the conventional ground improvement technique under appropriate conditions to enhance the bearing capacity of soil. The behaviour of reinforced earth was studied by considering generally static loads. In some situations, structures are also subjected to cyclic loads; such as those occurred by the machine foundations, traffic loads, earthquake, etc. Review of earlier studies has indicated that very few literatures are available with regard to performance of coir reinforcement under cyclic loading. The objective of the present study is to assess the behaviour in terms of load-carrying capacity and cyclic settlement using coir fibres as reinforcement and by conducting cyclic load settlement tests using model footings resting on sand reinforced with coir fibres. The present experimental study indicated that, coir reinforcement shows decrease in cyclic resistance ratio as well as cyclic stiffness with increase in u/B ratio. In the present study, better cyclic resistance of sand was observed in coir fiber-reinforced sand compared to unreinforced sand under all excitation parameters tested.