Exploring the Potential of Cement-Stabilized Fiber Reinforced Soil in Slope Stability

International Journal of Civil Engineering
© 2025 by SSRG - IJCE Journal
Volume 12 Issue 2
Year of Publication : 2025
Authors : Raja Sarkar, Dipika Devi, Santosh Kumar Tamang
pdf
How to Cite?

Raja Sarkar, Dipika Devi, Santosh Kumar Tamang, "Exploring the Potential of Cement-Stabilized Fiber Reinforced Soil in Slope Stability," SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 2, pp. 89-96, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I2P109

Abstract:

Landslides pose a significant challenge in the northeastern states of India, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, due to the region's steep topography and heavy monsoon rainfall. This study explores the stabilization of soils of a slope at Bage Tinali, Itanagar of Arunachal Pradesh, using cement as an additive and Polypropylene fiber as reinforcement to enhance the strength and stability. The research emphasizes replacing traditional sand and coarse aggregates with locally available silty soil of a slope to enhance its strength, which proves to be an innovative and cost-effective solution for stabilising the natural soils of a slope. Comprehensive laboratory experiments were performed to evaluate critical parameters, including Maximum Dry Density (MDD), Optimum Moisture Content (OMC), Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and water absorption of the stabilised soil. The results show that incorporating 20% cement and 1.25% polypropylene fiber increases UCS by approximately 1829.48% compared to untreated soil. Additionally, the proposed mixture exhibited notable improvements in MDD and OMC, confirming its effectiveness for slope stabilization in hilly terrains. Economic analysis highlights the cost-efficiency of this method compared to conventional shotcrete techniques. This study offers a sustainable and economical solution for mitigating landslides, contributing to the resilience of critical infrastructure in the region.

Keywords:

Slope stabilization, Compressive strength, Soil improvement, Polypropylene fibers, Soil stabilization.

References:

[1] H. Rahardjo et al., The Effect of Antecedent Rainfall on Slope Stability, Unsaturated Soil Concepts and Their Application in Geotechnical Practice, Springer Netherlands, pp. 371-399, 2001.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] E. Stefan Bernard, “Design of Fibre Reinforced Shotcrete Linings with Macro-Synthetic Fibres,” Proceedings Shotcrete for Underground Support XI, Davos, Switzerland, pp. 1-10, 2009.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] George D. Yoggy, “The History of Shotcrete,” Shotcrete (American Shotcrete Association), pp. 26-32, 2005.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[4] Lihe (John) Zhang, Is Shotcrete Sustainable?,” Shotcrete, pp. 20-26, 2010.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[5] J. Warner, “History of Shotcrete in Seismic Retrofit in California,” Shotcrete, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 14-17, 2004.
[Google Scholar]
[6] Gang Pan et al., “A Study of the Effect of Rheological Properties of Fresh Concrete on Shotcrete-Rebound based on Different Additive Components,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 224, pp. 1069-1080, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] D.R. Morgan, N. McAskill, and J. Neill, “Evaluation of Shotcretes,” Proceedings of CANMET/ACI Workshop on Condensed Silica Fume in Concretes, Montreal, Canada, 1987. 
[Google Scholar]
[8] Hugo Sogayar Armelin, “Rebound and Toughening Mechanisms in Steel Fiber Reinforced Dry-Mix Shotcrete,” Thesis, The University of British Columbia, pp. 1-262, 1997.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[9] V. Bindiganavile, and N. Banthia, “Rebound in Dry-Mix Shotcrete: Influence of Type of Mineral Admixture,” ACI Materials Journal, vol. 97, no. 2, pp. 115-119, 2000.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] N. Banthia, 4 - Sprayed concrete (Shotcrete), Developments in the Formulation and Reinforcement of Concrete, Woodhead Publishing, pp. 98-113, 2008.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] Jermy C. Ashlock et al., “Construction of Chemically and Mechanically Stabilized Test Sections to Reduce Freeze-Thaw Damage of Granular Roads,” 12th International Conference on Low-Volume Road, Kalispell Montana, United States, pp. 58-63, 2019.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[12] Anusree Bhowmik, Brundaban Beriha, and Umesh Chandra Sahoo, “Cement-Stabilized Fly Ash for Application in Structural Layers of Low-Volume Road Pavements,” 12th International Conference on Low-Volume Roads, Kalispell Montana, United States, pp. 390-403, 2019.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[13] Romel N. Georgees et al., “Resilient Response Characterization of Pavement Foundation Materials Using a Polyacrylamide-Based Stabilizer,” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, vol. 30, no. 1, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] D. Jones, “Guidelines for the Selection, Specification and Application of Chemical Dust Control and Stabilization Treatments on Unpaved Roads,” Technical Report, University of California Pavement Research Center, pp. 1-146, 2017.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[15] C. Kiran, N.K. Nabeel Muhamed, and R.S. Jaya, “Mechanical Stabilization of Black Cotton Soil using Recycled Concrete Aggregates,” 12th International Conference on Low-Volume Roads, Kalispell Montana, United States, pp. 372-383, 2019.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[16] Mark L. Russell, “Stabilizing Sand Roads Using Pulp and Paper Mill Boiler Ash,” 12th International Conference on Low-Volume Roads,” Kalispell Montana, United States, pp. 358-371, 2019.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[17] J. Pooni et al., “A Review on Soil Stabilisation of Unsealed Road Pavements from an Australian Perspective,” Road Materials and Pavement Design, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 1005-1049, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] Tohid Asheghi Mehmandari et al., “Flexural Properties of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete using Hybrid Recycled Steel Fibers and Manufactured Steel Fibers,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 98, pp. 1-26, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[19] Yafei Hu et al., “Strength Investigation and Prediction of Superfine Tailings Cemented Paste Backfill Based on Experiments and Intelligent Methods,” Materials, vol. 16, no. 11, pp. 1-23, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[20] Yafei Hu et al., “Development of Cemented Paste Backfill with Superfine Tailings: Fluidity, Mechanical Properties, and Microstructure Characteristics,” Materials, vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 1-16, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[21] Talha Zafar, Mohd Asif Ansari, and Atif Husain, “Soil Stabilization by Reinforcing Natural and Synthetic Fibers - A State of the Art Review,” Materials Today: Proceedings, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[22] Yixian Wang et al., “Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced and Lime-Stabilized Clayey Soil in Triaxial Tests,” Applied Sciences, vol. 9, no. 5, pp. 1-15, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[23] Jitendra Singh Yadav, and Suresh Kumar Tiwari, “Effect of Inclusion of Crumb Rubber on the Unconfined Compressive Strength and Wet-Dry Durability of Cement Stabilized Clayey Soil,” Journal of Building Materials and Structures, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 68-84, 2016.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[24] B.V.S. Viswanadham, B.R. Phanikumar, and R.V. Mukherjee, “Effect of Polypropylene Tape Fibre Reinforcement on Swelling Behaviour of an Expansive Soil,” Geosynthetics International, vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 393-401, 2009.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[25] Chaosheng Tang et al., “Strength and Mechanical Behavior of Short Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced and Cement Stabilized Clayey Soil,” Geotextiles and Geomembranes, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 194-202, 2007.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[26] S.P. Guleria, and R.K. Dutta, “Unconfined Compressive Strength of Fly Ash–Lime–Gypsum Composite Mixed with Treated Tire Chips,” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, vol. 23, no. 8, pp. 1255-1263, 2011.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[27] IS: 4332, “Methods of Test for Stabilized Soils,” Bureau of Indian Standards, pp. 1-17, 1969.
[Publisher Link]
[28] IRC: SP 89, 2010, “Guidelines for Soil and Granular Material Stabilization using Cement, Lime & Fly Ash,” Indian Roads Congress, pp. 1-46, 2010.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[29] IS: 1498-1970, “Classification and Identification of Soils for General Engineering Purposes,” Bureau of Indian Standards, pp. 1-28, 1970.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[30] IS: 2720 (Part 8)-1983, “Methods of Test for Soils: Determination of Water Content-Dry Density Relation using Heavy Compaction,” Bureau of Indian Standards, pp. 1-14, 1983.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[31] IS: 2720 (Part 10): 199, “Methods of Test for Soils: Determination of Unconfined Compression Stregth,” Bureau of Indian Standards, pp. 1-11, 1991.
[Publisher Link]