Strength Improvement Using Polypropylene Fiber as Reinforcement in Natural Pozzolana-lime-stabilized Expansive Clayey Soil Artificially Contaminated by Sulfates

This paper aims to assess the behavior of the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of polypropylene fiber (PF) reinforced natural pozzolana-lime-stabilized expansive grey clayey soil (GS) contaminated by sulfates. Lime (0–8%), natural pozzolana (NP) (0–20%), and PF (0–3%) by dry weight of soil were used. GS was contaminated by different sulfate contents (0-6%) and UCS was assessed at various curing periods (7–120 days). Results showed that adding 8% lime alone or with 20% NP considerably improved UCS. Including 1% or 2% PF as reinforcement without sulfates in lime-stabilized GS transferred stress from GS to PF due to bonding. However, increasing PF beyond 2% formed lumps, reducing contact and friction coefficient, thus decreasing UCS. This means that the optimum PF dosage was found to be 2%. The UCS of GS increased with PF content up to 2% and then decreased. The UCS significantly increased with higher calcium sulfate content and curing period due to observed cementing agents in X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Adverse effect of ettringite mineral on UCS caused by sodium sulfate addition was suppressed with the combination of 20% NP and 2% PF in lime-stabilized GS. Binding forces from lime and NP resisted to ettringite expansion. Sensitivity of UCS to sulfate effect was more pronounced with sodium sulfate than calcium sulfate. In addition, NP–PF mixture in lime-stabilized GS was more effective, improving the strength of expansive soil, especially with sodium sulfate. In conclusion, reinforcement of NP-lime-stabilized expansive soils with PF is an effective method.