Effect of fiber reinforcement on deformability properties of cemented sand

In this study, a series of unconfined compression tests have been performed to determine the effect of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber inclusion on deformation characteristics of cemented sand. The cement contents were 2, 4, and 6% by weight of the dry sand and samples were cured for 7 days. PVA fibers with a length of 12 mm and a diameter of 0.1 mm were added to sand-cement mixtures at a weight ratio of 0.0%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 1% (dry wt.). The compression stress-axial strain, secant modulus of elasticity (E₅₀), tangent modulus of elasticity (E_tan), failure mode, energy absorption capacity (EA), energy base index, strain base index, deformability index and axial strain at peak strength of the samples were described. Tests results show that addition of cement to sand increased stiffness and unconfined compression strength (UCS), and leading to a brittle behavior. Moreover, addition of PVA fibers to cemented sand increased the UCS and axial strain at peak strength and increased softening stress after the maximum strength. In addition, the fiber inclusion increases the energy absorption capacity and decreases the secant modulus of elasticity.