American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER) 2017

American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER)

e-ISSN: 2320-0847 p-ISSN : 2320-0936
Volume-6, Issue-10, pp-123-129
www.ajer.org
Research Paper Open Access

Improvement of Soil Properties by Using Jute Fibre as Soil

Stabilizer

Yagya Sharma1, Dr. D. G. M.Purohit2, Dr. Sunil Sharma3

1
M.E. Student, M.B.M. Engineering College, J.N.V. University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
2
Professor, M.B.M. Engineering College, J.N.V. University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
3
Professor and Head, M.B.M. Engineering College, J.N.V. University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

ABSTRACT: In this paper we focus on the improvement of engineering properties of soil by using jute fiber
treating with the sand. Jute fiber is treated with the sand to enhance the engineering properties in case of
pavement and earthen slopes. The aim of the present investigation is to determine the jute geo textile as soil
reinforcement or soil stabilizer.This analysis discusses the potential of fine sand stabilization with jute is cut
into approximately 20mm lengths as admixture. Present work has been taken up by addition of 20mm jute pieces
as admixture. The varying percentage 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2% of jute pieces of jute geotextile were mixed with fine
sand of different densities and moisture content. All the Unconfined Compressive Strength Tests were conducted
at different mix compositions of square pieces of plastic waste and fine sand of different dry densities as arrived
from Standard Proctor Test. On the basis of the experiments performed, it is determined that the stabilization of
fine sand using 20mm pieces of jute as admixture improves the strength characteristics of the fine sand so that it
becomes usable as construction of embankment.
Keywords: 20mm pieces of jute fibre, fine sand, Standard Proctor Test, Unconfined Compressive Strength
Tests
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
Date of Submission: 13-09-2017 Date of acceptance: 12-10-2017
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------

I. INTRODUCTION
Soil is considered by the civil engineer as a complex material. Apart from the testing and classification
of various types of soil, in order to determine the stability and physical properties, the knowledge of problems
related to foundation design and construction, pavement design, design of embankments and excavation, design
of earth dams are necessary.
Subgrade is the lowest layer of the pavement. It takes all the loads of the pavement as well as the loads
coming on the pavement. So, it should possess sufficient stability under adverse climatic and loading conditions.
The defects in black top pavement surface like rutting, corrugation, etc. are generally attributed to poor
subgrade. Thus the stability of the pavement depends upon the stability of the subgrade and it is done with soil
stabilization. In order to enhance the engineering properties, soil can be reinforced using jute fibre. Jute fibre is
preferable because of its better durability, high tensile strength and capacity to withstand rotting and heat,
porous texture which gives it good drainage and filtration properties. Moreover, jute is locally available, cheap,
eco-friendly and biodegradable. Reinforcing in soil masses increases its strength, bearing capacity and ductility;
reduces settlement and inhibits lateral deformation. Jute fibre Stabilized soils show greater extensibility, small
loss of post peak strength, isotropy in strength and absence of planes of weakness and good compressive
strength.The jute is biodegradable and no environmental hazard. In this paper jute fibre is used with varying
amount and their effect was analysed on shear strength and frictional angle. Jute is used in various works due
their cheapness and soft in nature.

II. MATERIALS USED FOR PRESENT STUDY

2.1 Fine Sand
Fine sand is found in abundance in Western Rajasthan. The fine sand has similar characteristics which
are found in various Towns of Jodhpur. Hence the sand used in present study was brought location near Osian
villages, at about 35-40kms away from Jodhpur on Jodhpur-Falodi Road. Fine sand has nil cohesion and poor
compressive strength and hence need stabilization. Fine sand is uniform clean sand as per Unified Soil

www.ajer.org Page 123

American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER) 2017
Classification System. Particles size ranges between 75µ to 1 mm that is fine coarse sand, round to angular in
particle shape as per Indian Standard Classification System. Physical and engineering properties of fine sand are
shown in table 1.

Table 1: Summary of the Physical and Engineering Properties of the Tested jute fiber Material
Sr. No. Parameters Range / Value
1 Light Compaction Test
I. MDD (gm/cc) 1.60 - 1.62
II. OMC (%) 8.47
2 Liquid Limit (%) 39.67
3 Plastic Limit (%) 10.69
4 Plasticity Index (%) 28.98
5 Specific Gravity 2.67
6 Indian Soil Classification CI

2.2 Jute Fibre

Fibres possess good pliancy and render a high degree of flexibility and fineness to fabric construction.
High initial modulus, consistency in tenacity (depends on thickness of the filament), high torsional rigidity and
low percentage of elongation-at-break make Jute a suitable fibre for geosynthetics. The other remarkable
property of Jute is its capacity to absorb water because of its high cellulosic content. Jute fibres/yarns can absorb
water up to about 500% of their dry weight. Hygroscopic property of Jute is the highest among all fibres natural
& of course man-made. Jute Geotextiles can be manufactured conforming to customize specifications in regard
to porometry, tensile strength, permittivity (passage of water across the fabric) & transmissivity (transmission of
water along the fabric) which are comparable to man-made geotextiles as shown in table below. Puncture
strength and burst strength of Jute Geotextiles are also close to man-made geosynthetics. Besides, JGT has a
distinct environmental edge. Jute Fibres have been purchased from the market of Jodhpur city. The Fibres are
cut into pieces of approximately 20 mm lengths and are mixed in percentage of 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% by dry
weight of soil. Fig.1 shows the jute pieces of admixture which is used for present research. Physical and
engineering properties of jute material are shown in table 2.

Figure 1: 20mm Pieces of jute fibre Admixture

Table 2: Summary of the Physical and Engineering Properties of the Tested jute fibre Material
Sr. No. Property Range / Value
1 Fibre length, mm 20
2 Fibre Diameter, mm 0.3 – 0.45
3 Specific Gravity 1.32
3
4 Bulk Density, Kg/m 1290
2
5 Ultimate tensile strength, N/mm 3350
6 Modulus of Elasticity, N/mm2 74
7 Elongation at Break, (%) 2.5 - 3

III. TEST PROGRAM AND PROCEDURE

The laboratory investigation on fine sand stabilization with jute fibre pieces as admixture was
performed. This work is done for beneficial utilization of jute fibre and a mix proportion that can be mixed with
fine sand as a best stabilizer with limited detrimental effects. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the

www.ajer.org Page 124

American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER) 2017
use of fine sand as a construction material after stabilizing it with jute fibre as admixture. The present study has
been undertaken with the following objectives:
1. To study the effect of moisture content on dry density of fine sand.
2. To study the changes in compressive strength of fine sand of different dry densities mixed with jute fibre in
different proportions.

3.1 Test Program

The test program included the preliminary tests for fine sand and mix compositions of fine sand with jute fibre.
Following tests were carried out:
1. Determination of particle size distribution of fine sand.
2. Standard Proctor Test (Proctor Compaction Test) for determining different dry densities for fine sand.
3. Unconfined Compressive Strength Test to determine compressive strength of fine sand and mix
compositions with jute fibre.

Table 3 shows the variables which are investigated in present study.

Table 3: Variables Investigated
S. No. Effect of Variables Range Investigated
1 Moisture content in sand Dry density Various ranges
Jute Fibre on different properties
2 Length Jute are 20mm size
of sand
Mix Jute Fibre by dry weight of Proportion
3 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%
sand percentage

3.1.1 Particle Size Distribution or Gradation Test of Fine sand

The particle size distribution test or gradation test was carried out with Indian Standard Sieve size 4.75
mm, 2.36 mm, 1.18 mm, 600 μ, 425 μ, 300 μ, 150μ, 75μ, pan and weigh balance in the laboratory.
A typical sieve analysis involves a nested column of sieve with wire mesh cloth (screen). A representative
sample of 1000 gm is poured into the top sieve which has the largest screen opening of 4.75 mm. Each lower
sieve in the column has smaller opening than the one above. The base is a round pan, called the receiver. The
sample was shaken vigorously for 10 minutes on sieve shaker. After the shaking, the weight of material retained
on each sieve was weighed. Percentage passing through each sieve was calculated and plotted against particle
size. Since percentage passing 75 μ is within 1% only, hydrometer analysis was not done.

Where Wsieve is the weight of aggregate in the sieve in gm

Wtotal is the total weight of the aggregate in gm
The cumulative percentage passing of the aggregate is found by subtracting the percent retained from 100%.
Percentage (%) Cumulative Passing = 100% - Percentage (%) Cumulative Retained
The results of particle size distribution have been shown in table 4, table 5 and figure 2.

Table 4: Particle Size Distribution of Fine Sand

Weight % Weight Cumulative % Cumulative %
S.No. Sieve Size % Finer
Retained (gm) Retained Weight Retained Weight Passing
1. 10 86.98 10.23 10.23 89.77 89.77
2. 6.25 126.41 14.87 25.10 74.90 74.90
3. 4.75 64.15 7.55 32.65 67.35 67.35
4. 2 447.58 52.66 85.31 14.69 14.69
5. 1 18.94 2.23 87.54 12.46 12.46
6. 0.425 29.91 3.52 91.06 8.94 8.94
7. 0.15 9.76 1.15 92.20 7.80 7.80
8. 0.075 5.96 0.70 92.90 7.10 7.10
9. 0.04 60.21 7.08 99.99 0.01 0.01

www.ajer.org Page 125

American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER) 2017

Particle size distribution

100

80

60
% Finer

40

20

0
0.01 0.1 1 10
Particle size
Figure 2: Particle Size Distribution Curve

Table 5: Results of Particle Size Distribution

S. No. Property Test Media (Fine Sand)
1. Coefficient of Uniformity (Cu) 1.28
2. Coefficient of Curvature (Cc) 1.06
3. Mean Diameter (D50) mm 0.20
4. Effective Size (D10) mm 0.18
5. Fine Soil Fraction (75 µ) 0.10%

3.1.2 STANDARD PROCTOR TEST

Standard proctor covers the determination of the relationship between the moisture content and density
of soils. The standard proctor test was performed in accordance with IS 2720 (Part VII) on fine sand. In this test,
a standard mould of 100 mm internal diameter and an effective height of 127.3 mm, with a capacity of 1000 ml
are used. The mould had a detachable base plate and a removable collar of 50 mm height at its top. The soil was
compacted in the mould in 3 equal layers; each layer was given 25 blows of 2.6 kg rammer falling through a
height of 310 mm.
The result tabulated in table 6 and figure 3 shows that on increment of moisture content, dry density
first decrease and then increase. In the curve dry density first decrease due to bulking of sand. After reaching
maximum dry density on optimum moisture content, dry density decreases.

Dry density ϒd
2
Dry Density, gm/cc

1.95
1.9
1.85
1.8
1.75
8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 9 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4

Moisture Content, %
Dry density ϒd
Figure 3: Dry Density v/s Moisture Content Curve

www.ajer.org Page 126

American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER) 2017
3.1.2.1 Comparative Study
A comparative study of variation of dry density and moisture content with jute fibre percentage has been made
from the test results. The variation of moisture content graphs, showing on Y-axis corresponding jute fibre
percentage 0.5 %, 1%, 1.5% and 2% admixture have been shown figures 4.

Water content W%
9.4
Moisture Content, %

9.2

8.8

8.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025
Jute, % Water content W%
Figure 4: Moisture Content v/s Jute % Curve

Another comparative study of variation of dry density and moisture content with jute fibre percentage has been
made from the test results. The variation of dry density graphs, showing on Y-axis corresponding jute fibre
percentage 0.5 %, 1%, 1.5% and 2% admixture have been shown figures 5.

Dry density ϒd
2
Dry Density, gm/cc

1.95
1.9
1.85
1.8
1.75
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025
Jute, % Dry density ϒd
Figure 5: Dry Density v/s Jute % Curve

Table 6: Properties of composite soil

% Jute 0% 0.50% 1% 1.50% 2%
Weight of empty mould(Wm) gms 2072 2072 2072 2072 2072
Internal diameter of mould (d) cm 10 10 10 10 10
Height of mould (h) cm 13 13 13 13 13
Volume of mould (V)=( π/4) d2h cc 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
Weight of Base plate (Wb) gms 2068 2068 2068 2068 2068
Weight of empty mould + base plate (W') gms 4140 4140 4140 4140 4140
Weight of mould + compacted soil + Base plate (W1) gms 6135 6235 6258 6185 6105

Weight of Compacted Soil (W1-W') gms 1995 2095 2118 2045 1965
Weight of Container (X1) gms 20.27 20.27 20.27 20.27 20.27

www.ajer.org Page 127

American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER) 2017

Weight of Container + Wet Soil (X2) gms 84.81 85.4 85.7 85.9 85.56
Weight of Container + dry soil (X3) gms 79.64 80.03 80.25 80.35 80
Weight of dry soil (X3-X1) gms 59.37 59.76 59.98 60.08 59.73
Weight of water (X2-X3) gms 5.17 5.37 5.45 5.55 5.56
Water content W%= X2-X3/X3-X1 8.71 8.99 9.09 9.24 9.31
Dry density ϒd= ϒt/(1 + (W/100)) gm/cc 1.84 1.92 1.94 1.87 1.80

3.1.3 Unconfined Compressive Strength Test

After the compaction test the compressive strength of the sample is measured. Cylindrical specimen is
compacted by static compaction in 3.8 cm diameter and 7.6 cm high mould. The inner surface of the mould is
lubricated with mobile oil so as to extrude the sample from mould with minimum disturbance. The sample is
placed inside the specimen mould in seven layers using spoon, leveled and gently compacted. Pressure pad will
be inserted into the mould and the whole assembly will be statically compacted in loading frame to the desired
density. The sample is to be kept under static load for not less than 10 minutes in order to account for any
subsequent increase in height of sample due to swelling. The sample will then be removed from the mould with
the help of sample extruder. Initial dimensions are measured.
From UCS test conducted for the same sample, the strength of samples shows increasing tendency for
some samples with the increment of jute percentage in the soil strength. The unconfined compressive strength in
both the samples increases with the increase in percent of jute up to 1.5 %. The UCS decreases with further
addition of jute. Considering results of the samples the maximum UCS observed at the 3.62 as shown in table 7
and figure 6.

UCS, Kg/cm2
4
Unconfined Compressive
Strength, Kg/cm2

0
0.00% 0.50% 1.00% 1.50% 2.00% 2.50%
Jute, % UCS, Kg/cm2
Figure 6: Unconfined Compressive Strength

Table 7: Unconfined Compressive Strength

Sr. No. Jute UCS, Kg/cm2
1 0.50% 2.22
2 1% 3.4
3 1.50% 3.82
4 2% 3

IV. CONCLUSIONS
In this investigation we have used jute fibre pieces in different proportions to study its effect on various
geotechnical properties of fine sand of Western Rajasthan. The results of the testing program clearly show that
the engineering properties of the fine sand improved considerably due to stabilizing with jute fibre Geotextile. In
the present investigation, as we are increasing the quantity of admixture of jute fibre pieces, the compressive
strength increases. So we have stopped the further increment of admixture. Further study can be done by
addition of more amount of admixture.
The jute-sand stabilization is found to be very much effective for stabilizing the soil, the changes
observed in the soil after stabilization is remarkable. Based on the observations and the results obtained, it can
be concluded that the dry density increases with the increase of jute textile and maximum dry density was
obtained at 1 % addition of Jute textile.

www.ajer.org Page 128

American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER) 2017
The unconfined compressive strength increases with the increases of jute textiles up to 1.5%, whereas the
maximum unconfined compressive strength was reported at 1.5% is 3.82 Kg/cm2 Jute fibre textile content.
REFERENCES
[1] Akbulut S, Arasan S, Kalkan E. 2007. “Modification of clayey soils using scrap tire rubber and synthetic fibers”. App Clay Sci;
38:23–32.
[2] Azeem A, and Ati A. 1992. “.Erosion and control techniques for slopes of banks and cuttings”. In: Ind geotech conf, Calcutta;
[3] Binici, H., Aksogan, O., and Shah, T., 2005. “Investigation of fiber reinforced mud brick as a building material”.
[4] T Sanyal, “Jute Geotextiles and their application in civil engineering”, Springer Publications.
[5] P. Aggarwal, and B. Sharma, “Application of Jute Fiber in the Improvement of Subgrade Characteristics”. International Journal on
Transportation and Urban Development, 2011; 1(1), 56-58.
[6] Singh, H. P. and Bagra, M., “Improvement in CBR Value of Soil Reinforced with Jute Fiber”. International Journal of Innovative
Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 2013; Vol. 2, Issue 8, 3447-3452.
[7] Chandra S., Viladkar, M.N. and Nagrrale P.P. 2008. “Mechanistic Apporoach for fibre reinforced flexible pavements” Journals of
Transportation Engineering,Vol. 134,15-23.
[8] Research journal on engineering sciences(2014):”Development of Jute Geotextiles in Combating Geotechnical Problems”, Ghosh
Swapan Kumar, Department of Jute and Fibre Technology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, INDIA.
[9] “Use of Jute Geo Textile for Strengthening of Sub Grade as Black cotton soil for RoadWork”, Surendra. P. Jadhav and R. M.
Damgir, Government College of Engineering Aurangabad, Maharastra, India.
[10] International journal on earth sciences and engineering:”Improvement in CBR Value of Soil Reinforced with Jute Geotextile”H. P.
Singh, Department of Civil Engineering, NERIST, Itanagar.
[11] Banerjee P.K., “Development of New Geosynthetics Products through Blends of Natural Fibres, Environmental Geo-technology
with Geosynthetics”, Asian Society for Environmental Geo-technology, New Delhi, India, 337–345 (1996).

Yagya Sharma. “Improvement of Soil Properties by Using Jute Fibre as Soil Stabilizer.”
American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER), vol. 6, no. 10, 2017, pp. 123–129.

www.ajer.org Page 129