Effect of polypropylene fibers length and content on cracks development in clay lining

Abstract EN

Clay represents an essential component used for lining and containment purposes.

clay performance as a liner is seriously affected by environmental changes and there is a need to limit such volumetric changes.

reinforcing clay with fibers is one of the techniques to limit desiccation volumetric changes.

this study presents experimental program to study the effect of the inclusion of randomly distributed polypropylene fibers (PPF) with different lengths on the resistance of clay to desiccation cracking under multiple wetting-drying cycles.

specimens of unreinforced kaolinite clay as well as reinforced clay with PPF with lengths of 6 mm, 12 mm and 18 mm and fiber contents of 0.5%, 0.7%, 1.0%, and 1.50% PPF (by weight) are utilized in the study.

desiccation cracking is quantified by calculating cracking intensity factor (CIF) values.

the results show that the inclusion of fibers enhances the resistance to cracking up to certain fiber content after which such resistance decreases.

the results also show that resistance of the reinforced clay to cracking.

on the other hand, multiple wetting and drying reduces the effectiveness of fibers inclusion to resist desiccation cracking under multiple wetting and drying.

however, longer fibers showed better resistance to cracking upon wetting and drying.