Effect of granular piles with geotextile encasement on strength tests of expansive clays

Abstract

This paper presents experimental data on unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California bearing ratio (CBR) tests of expansive clay reinforced with granular piles (GPs) with and without geotextile encasement. One set of test samples were compacted at optimum moisture content and maximum dry density and were centrally reinforced with GPs  of varying diameters and lengths. In another series of tests, the GP reinforcement was encased with a tensile geotextile. Both UCS and CBR test results increased with increasing length and diameter of the GPs. The test values further increased when the GPs were provided with geotextile encasement.