Abstract
In expansive clay, the development of fissures during desiccation is a natural occurrence. The life of geoinfrastructures, especially hydraulic barriers, can be greatly extended by reducing desiccation-induced fissures. Enhancing soil characteristics through the use of additives is an important strategy for reducing the formation of desiccation cracks and their impact. In this work, experimental findings for a nylon fiber and enzyme-based product modified expanding clay are presented. Desiccation cracking experiments with various fiber concentrations and constant enzyme dosages were conducted. Three-point bending beam tests were conducted to evaluate the modified clay's tensile strength. The impacts of cracks were reduced because the additives, fiber, and enzyme were able to considerably change the patterns of cracks. In addition, compared to untreated soil, the addition of enzyme alone enhanced tensile strength by about 50%, whereas the combined action of both fiber and enzyme raised tensile strength by around 100%. The inquiry makes a case for the possibility of the inclusion of fiber-enzymes to reduce desiccation cracks based on measurements of fracture patterns and other changed clay characteristics. To identify the ideal dosage demands for each addition and examine the results of potential interactions between the fiber and enzyme, more research must be done.