Geotechnical Properties of Coconut Coir Fiber Soil Mixture

Abstract

Soil encountered in many sites are either sound enough to withstand designed load from proposed structures to be erected upon them or there may be need to have the soil modified. One major method of enhancing soil strength capacity is to reinforce the soil with natural or artificial fibers. Coconut coir fiber was used as an additive material to improve the strength properties of soils such as the maximum dry density, the cohesion, angle of internal friction and the California bearing ratio CBR. Three different soil samples were sourced and mixed with different percentage proportions of coconut fiber (0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.7%, 0.9%, 1.0%, 1.2% and 1.5%). Results of the experimental study revealed that all the soil parameters tested attained highest values at 1.2% coconut coir fiber addition. Addition of about 1.2% coconut fiber to the soil will enhance its strength.