Bearing Capacity of Surface Treated Coir Geotextile Reinforced Sand

Abstract

Natural fiber used as Reinforcement in composites has in modern times paying attention due to low cost, easy availability, low density, acceptable specific properties, ease of separation, enhanced energy recovery, CO₂ neutrality, biodegradability and recyclable in nature. Although glass and other synthetic fiber-reinforced plastics have high specific strength, their fields of application are very restricted because of their inherent higher cost of production. In this connection, an investigation has been carried out to make use of coir; a natural fiber abundantly available in India. Whenever the water absorption capacity of fiber reduces the longevity will be increased. Coir can be efficiently used as reinforcing material if a proper treatment is adopted. Whenever the water absorption capacity of fiber reduces the longevity will be increased. Natural-fibre-reinforcement when treated with chemicals could be successfully produced with good mechanical properties and the tensile and flexural properties can be further enhanced by alkali treatment. In the present investigation, the coir geotextile is proposed to be used as reinforcement in sand has been made less water absorbent by surface. Chemical treatment of reinforcement material is one of the main ways of improving mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites treatment using Sodium Hydroxide. The effect of surface treated coir mat was used as reinforcement in the form of layer below the model footing, to assess and compare its performance with untreated coir mat reinforced sand. Peak load intensity was evaluated to determine the optimum position of layer for the geotextile reinforcement was determined experimentally.