Use of basalt fiber in soil improvement

Because new settlement needs arise along with the increasing population throughout the history, it has been inevitable to construct buildings on geotechnically problematic soils. Expansive soils are one of the examples that can be given to these geotechnical problems. Significant engineering problems can be encountered in light buildings or transportation structures, especially on expansive soils. If the swelling pressure of the soils is higher than the load on it, problems due to excessive deformation can occur in these structures. It is known that various additives and in particular geosynthetics are used to reduce the swelling potential of soils. In this study, it is aimed to reduce the swelling potential of a clay soil by using basalt fiber. Firstly, experiments were done to determine the physical properties and index properties on the natural soils. The swelling behavior of the soil, which was prepared in the optimum water content, was then examined by the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test. Then the same procedure was carried out on the same soil mixed with basalt fibers of different lengths 6 mm - 12 mm and 24 mm at different percentages of %2.0 - %1.5 - %1.0 - %0.20 - %0.15 - %0.10 and %0.05 depending on the dry weight of the soil. Test results show that basalt fiber inclusion reduces the swelling potential of the soil, but that after an optimum value, swelling may be higher than the natural state. Keywords: Clay, Swelling potential, Basalt fiber, CBR.