Shear behavior of sandy soil reinforced with plastic waste fibers

Introduction/purpose: The issue of plastic pollution represents a significant global challenge that demands urgent action. Current initiatives focus on employing technical solutions to incorporate non-biodegradable plastics into the construction of buildings and road pavements. Methods: This paper presents a series of direct shear tests aimed at highlighting the benefits of using recycled fibers, specifically in terms of shear strength performance. The tests examined reinforced sand with varying fiber contents of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8%, applied to both lowand medium-density sand. Results: The results indicate that samples prepared through dry deposition exhibited significantly higher shear strength compared to those prepared using wet deposition. Additionally, the increase in shear strength was closely related to the quantity of fiber content used. Conclusion: In conclusion, utilizing plastic waste as reinforcement offers two solutions to pressing environmental issues: it enhances soil reinforcement and helps reduce the impact of waste.