Precast Peat Columns Stabilized with Cement and Fibers to Reinforce Peat Deposits

Peat and organic soil represent the extreme forms of soft soil, susceptible to localized sinking and massive and long-term settlement when subject to even moderate load increase. This article describes laboratory study on precast columns made of peat and cement, with and without polypropylene fibers. The process of making precast stabilized peat columns include mixing peat with a specified amount of cement, with or without polypropylene fibers, at their optimum moisture contents (OMC). The mixture is then compacted in the moulds and left to dry in the air. It was found that the OMC of the peat was quite high and it was believed that no extra water is needed for the complete hydration of cement to take place. When drying is complete, they are taken out of their molds and inserted in predrilled holes in undisturbed peat samples. The strength of the precast stabilized columns was evaluated by carrying out consolidated-undrained triaxial tests. The results obtained from shear strength analysis and stress-strain curves show that precast stabilized peat columns with or without polypropylene fibres can be used to reinforce weak deposits of peat with a substantial gain in the strength

کلیدواژه ها:

Peat ، Polypropylene fibers ، Precast columns ، Stabilization