Mini Project Report On

“ SOIL REINFORCEMENT BY USING COCONUT COIR ’’

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
IN

CIVIL ENGINEERING
BY

19J41A01A6 N.HEMASRI
19J41A01B1 P.SANJANA REDDY
20J45A0112 K.VAMSHI
20J45A0116 M.NAGARJUNA
Under the esteemed guidance of
Mr.V.RAVINDRA.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

MALLA REDDY ENGINEERING COLLEGE (Autonomous)
(An UGC Autonomous Institution, Approved by AICTE, New Delhi)

(Affiliated to JNTUH - Hyderabad) Accredited by NBA & NAAC with ‘A++’ Grade (III –
Cycle) Maisammaguda, Dhulapally
(Post Via Kompally), Secunderabad, Telangana, India 500100.
 MALLA REDDY ENGINEERING COLLEGE (Autonomous)
(An UGC Autonomous Institution, Approved by AICTE, New Delhi)
(Affiliated to JNTUH - Hyderabad)

Accredited by NBA & NAAC with ‘A++’ Grade (III – Cycle)

Maisammaguda, Dhulapally (Post Via Kompally), Secunderabad,
Telangana, India 500100
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that minor project entitled “SOIL REINFORCEMENT BY
USING COCONUT COIR” submitted in partial fulfillment of degree of
Bachelor Of Technology in CIVIL ENGINEERING Jawaharlal Nehru
Technological University, Hyderabad by
19J41A01A6 N.HEMASRI
19J41A01B1 P.SANJANA REDDY
20J45A0112 K.VAMSHI
20J45A0116 M.NAGARJUNA

Internal Guide HOD

External Examiner
 DECLARATION

We hereby declare that the project titled “SOIL REINFORCEMENT BY USING

COCONUT COIR” submitted to Malla Reddy Engineering College (UGC
Autonomous). Affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad
(JNTU) for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Civil
Engineering is a result of original research carried out in this thesis. I understand
that my report may be made electronically able to the public is further declared that
the project report or any part thereof has not been previously submitted to any
University or Institute for the award of degree or diploma.

BY

19J41A01A6 N.HEMASRI
19J41A01B1 P.SANJANA REDDY
20J45A0112 K.VAMSHI
20J45A0116 M.NAGARJUNA
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We feel ourselves honoured and privileged to place our warm salutation to our college Malla
Reddy Engineering College of Civil Engineering Department which gave us the opportunity to
have expert is in engineering and profound technical knowledge

We would like to deeply thank our Honourable Minister of Telangana State Sri.Ch. MALLA
REDDY Garu, founder chairman MRGI, the largest cluster of institutions in the state of
Telangana for providing us with all the resources in the college to make our project successful.

We wish to convey gratitude to our Principal Dr. A. RAMASWAMI REDDY , for providing us
with the environment and means to enrich our skills and motivating us and helping us to realize
our full potential.

We express our sincere gratitude to Dr. J.SELWYN BABU , Head of the Department of Civil
Engineering for inspiring us to take up a project on this subject and successfully guiding us
towards its completion.

We would also like to thank our project coordinator Dr. KAVITA SINGH for her kind
encouragement and V.RAVINDRA for his overall guidance in viewing this program as a good
asset with profound gratitude.

We would like to thank all the staff of the Department of Civil Engineering and all other
departments who have been helpful directly in making the project a success.

With Regards by

19J41A01A6 N.HEMASRI
19J41A01B1 P.SANJANA REDDY
20J45A0112 K.VAMSHI
20J45A0116 M.NAGARJUNA
 ABSTRACT

Coconut fiber or coir fiber and is obtained from the coconut shell. Coconut fiber is
very cheap, economical and easily available in the market .It can be used to impart the various
engineering properties such as shear strength, tensile strength, bearing capacity and many other
properties by using various proportions and size of the coir fiber .The fiber has a high degree of water
retention and is rich in micronutrients. By introducing the coconut coir fibers in the soil the
development of the frictional forces increases between the soil particles and the reinforcement fibers.
In this project we worked on using various proportions of coconut fiber to the clayey soil.The tests
conducted on the clayey soil are Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, Standard Proctor Test and California
Bearing Ratio (CBR). The percentages of the coconut fiber used in the soil are 0%, 0.3, 0.5%, 0.8%
and 1.1%. The various parameters which were investigated in this research are dry density, optimum
moisture content Etc. It is concluded that the best results of OMC and MDD are obtained at 1.1% of
coconut coir fiber .For CBR tests the highest values are also obtained at 1.1% of coconut fiber
respectively. Hence the above proportion can be adopted in the road pavement designs, reinforcement
of foundation soils etc.
 CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 PROJECT OBJECTIVES

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

3.1 METHODOLOGY

3.2 MATERIAL USED

CHAPTER 4: IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECT

4.1 SIEVE ANALYSIS

4.2 LIQUID LIMIT
4.3. CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO
4.4. STANDARD PROCTOR
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION

REFERENCES
1.1 INTRODUCTION :
All the civil engineering structures whether small or huge, simple or
complex rests on the ground surface and ultimately transfers the structure load to soil or rock.
Stability of any such structure depends on the properties of the underlying soil. If we can improve
the strength of existing soil by means of some ground improvement techniques utilizing the waste
material generated locally, then the cost of construction can be reduced drastically. Under the
traffic loads, the soil sub-base is subjected to compression in the vertical direction accompanied by
tension in the lateral direction . Most of the available soil generally shows good compressive
strength and sufficient shear strength but are weak in tension. Fiber reinforced soil is effective in
all types of soils like sand, silt and clay . Earth reinforcement is an ancient technique, demonstrated
abundantly in nature by animals, birds and the action of tree roots. These reinforcements interact
with the soil through friction and adhesion and resists tensile stress developed within the soil mass
thereby restricting shear failure.

In construction of pavements, either rigid or flexible if the underlying soil

(subgrade) is of good quality then the thickness of pavement becomes less thus reducing the
construction cost and saving the conventional natural resources for the next generation. Also the
life of pavements depends on the strength and stability of underlying subgrade soil. One of the
reasons for rapid deterioration of a pavement structure is due to poor subgrade which increases the
maintenance cost, leads to traffic interruptions and causes inconvenience to public.

Deformations in subgrade due to repeated traffic loads can be avoided

and strength of subgrade soil can be improved by reinforcing the soil by means of natural fibers
like coconut coir, jute, bamboo, straw etc. and by using synthetic fibers like polypropylene,
polyester, polyethylene, glass fiber, shredded rubber tire, geo-synthetic or goe-textile etc. In this
experimental study, non-woven randomly distributed coconut coir fibers (CCF) were used to
reinforce the soil. CCF is produced in large quantities in South Asian countries like India,
Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia etc. Coconut coir is a natural fiber belonging to the group of hard
structural fibers. It can be extracted from the husk of coconut which is easily and locally available,
cheap, biodegradable and ecofriendly. It is waste by product of the coir manufacturing industry and
for every ton of fiber extracted, about two tons of coir waste is produced.

Durability of natural fiber can be improved by chemical treatment

and by coating the fiber with Phenol, Bitumen and polymer. As coconut fiber has high lignin
content and low cellulose content, it is resilient, strong and highly durable. Compared to jute fiber,
service life of coir is more up to 10 years because of its high lignin content. According to
degradation of coir depends on the medium of embedment and the climatic conditions and is found
to retain 80% of its tensile strength even after six months.
 Coir has low tenacity but the elongation is much higher and it shows
better resilient response against synthetic fibers by higher coefficient of friction. Coir retains much
of its tensile strength when wet and shows reduced swelling tendency of the soil. Many researchers
have worked on CCF reinforced soil. Observed that soft silty or clayey soils can be improved with
randomly distributed fibers of natural and synthetic types. When loaded, the fibers mobilize tensile
resistance, which in turn imparts greater strength to the soil.

Toughness of soil can be increased with fiber inclusion and pullout

resistance of synthetic fibers is less compared to that of natural fibers. According to composite effect of
natural fiber changes the brittle behavior of the soil to ductile behavior. According to provision of coir
reinforced layer reduces the settlement and improves the bearing capacity ratio up to 1.5 to 2.66.
1.2 PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

➢ To study the coconut fibre and its various properties

➢ To find the Results on use of coconut fibre for soil reinforcement.

➢ To calculate CBR value of soil using coconut fibers.

➢ To calculate the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of the soil using various
quantities of coconut fiber.

➢ Reinforcement of soil is performed by placing tensile elements in the soil to enhance the
stability and strength of the soil.

➢ Soil reinforcement is a cost-effective technique which is used to improve tensile and bearing
strength of the soil.

➢ It is opted to improve the engineering and mechanical properties of soil.

➢ Reinforced soil bed increase the bearing capacity of the soil and reduce the differential
settlement of soil bed.
 CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW

Singh and Mittal (2014) :

Singh and Mittal was conducted an experimental study on clayey soil mixed
with varying percentage of coir fiber. Soil samples for unconfined compression strength (UCS) and
California bearing ratio (CBR) tests are prepared at its maximum dry density corresponding to its
optimum moisture content in the CBR mould without and with coir fiber. The percentage of coir fiber
by dry weight of soil is taken as 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1% and corresponding to each coir fiber
content unsoaked and soaked CBR and UCS tests are conducted in the laboratory. Tests result
indicates that both unsoaked and soaked CBR value of soil increases with the increase in fiber content.
Soaked CBR value increases from 4.75% to 9.22% and unsoaked CBR value increases from 8.72% to
13.55% of soil mixed with 1% coir fiber. UCS of the soil increases from 2.75 kg/cm² to 6.33 kg/cm^
upon addition of 1% randomly distributed coconut fiber. Adding of coconut coir fiber results in less
thickness of pavement due to increase in CBR of mix and reduce the cost of construction and hence
economy of the construction of highway will be achieved. This is because of composite effect of
natural fiber changes the brittle behavior of the soil to ductile behavior.

Tiwari and Mahiyar (2014):

Tiwari and Mahiyar have tested individual behavior of FlyAsh Crushed
Glass & Coconut Coir Fiber with soil, which shows that for adding 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% & 30% FA
with soil produces highest CBR of value 4 at max 25%, after that curve height decreases gradually.
Similarly on adding 3%, 5% & 7% they obtained highest CBR of value 3 .1 at 7% CG after curves falls
down enormously. Also for adding 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1% & 1.25%.of CCR we obtained max curve
height at CBR value of 3.6 after that curve should successive depletion. Hence they determined from
experimental results for combinations made for 25%FA, 7% & 1%CCF to set range for combination
for this samples are made. 48 trial During this trial C.B.R, curve attains highest value at 5.2 and falls
down 2.2 and again it goes to 3.8, for different set of combination.
 Chapale and Dhatrak (2013):
Chapale and Dhatrak was focused on effect of coir on bearing
capacity and settlement of footing with parameters such as thickness of reinforced layer (B, B/2, B/4)
with 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% & 1.0% of coir using the laboratory model tests on square footings supported
on highly compressible clayey soil reinforced with randomly distributed coir fiber. Provision of coir
reinforced layer increases bearing capacity ratio up to 1.5 to 2.66. There is significant increase in
bearing capacity of clayey soil with the inclusion coir fibers. At 25 mm depth of fiber reinforced soil
(B/4) and 0.50% fiber content the SBC is maximum. There is no need to place the fiber reinforced soil
throughout the depth as the soil is affected to a significant depth of 2 to 2.5 times the width of footing.
Only one fourth width of footing (B/4) is sufficient for increasing the SBC. In general, the results
shows that the provision of coir reinforced layer, reduces the settlement and improves the bearing
capacity which found to be economical techniques among various types of bearing capacity
improvement techniques.

H.P. Singh (2013):

H.P. Singh was studied the influence of coir fibers on shear strength
parameters (c and ϕ) and stiffness modulus (ϭd /ϵ) of fly ash. In the present investigation, samples of
fly ash compacted to its maximum dry density at the optimum moisture content were prepared without
and with randomly distributed coir fiber for triaxial compression tests. The coir fiber were taken as
0.25 %, 0.5 %, 0.75 % and 1 % by dry weight of fly ash and the shear strength parameters (c and ϕ)
and stiffness modulus (ϭd /ϵ) of reinforced fly ash for each fiber content was determined in the
laboratory. Finally these strength parameters (c, ϕ and ϭd /ϵ) of reinforced fly ash were compared with
that of unreinforced fly ash. Tests results indicate that on inclusion of coir fiber, the shear strength
parameters and stiffness modulus of fly ash increases. It was also observed that on increasing the fiber
content, the values of these strength parameters further increases and the improvement is substantial at
fiber content of 1 %.Thus there is a significant improvement in the strength parameters of fly ash due
to inclusion of coir fiber.

Singh and Gill (2012):

Singh and Gill was studied the effect of geo-grid reinforcement on
maximum dry density (MDD), Optimum Moisture Content (OMC), California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of
sub-grade soil. The clayey type of soil and one type of geo--grid were selected for this study. From the
study it is clear that there is considerable improvement in California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of sub-grade
due to geo-grid reinforcement. In case of without reinforcement (Geo-grid) the soaked CBR value was
2.9% and when geo-grid was placed at 0.2H from the top of the specimen the CBR increases to 9.4%.
Vaidya et. Al:
The stabilization of the fly ash with cement alone or in conjunction with
polypropylene fibers is effective in order to enhance the either strength parameter-compression as well
as tensile strength. The strengths (UCS as well as BTS) increase up to 1% fiber in all the mixes and
thereafter, it decreases. The value of the strengths (UCS and BTS) increases with increase incuring
period. The rate of gaining the strength in most of the cases are rapid during initial phase of curing, i.
e., up to 14 days curing. The value of strengths (UCS as well as BTS) in respect of un- soaked sample
is higher than that in case of soaked sample. At higher curing period such as 14 days considered in the
present study, the durability of stabilized fly ash gets improved due to formation of pozzolanic reaction
with the addition of cement. Both the strengths- compressive as well as tensile- is found to be higher in
case of 20% cement contents and corresponding to 1% fiber in case of either samples, i.e., un soaked
and soaked, indicating the optimum performance of the mix with 20% cement contents and 1% fibers.

Karthika et.al (2011):

Karthika et.al have stabilized the soil with coir geotextile. For performing the
CBR test, the geotextile was placed at a mid depth of the mould while compacting. In the field
simulation test for the measurement of rut depth, a layer of geotextile was provided at a depth of 15cm
and above that the soil was compacted in layers to form the subgrade and CBR of soil reinforced with
geotextile is increased to 12 %. CBR of soil stabilized with 5 per cent fly ash and 2.5 per cent cement
and reinforced with geotextile is found to be excellent and comes to 28 per cent.
 CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY

3.1 Methodology :
This particle size analysis was performed to determine the percentages of
different grain sizes contained within each soil sample. The sieve analysis was performed to determine
the distribution of the coarser, larger-sized particles in the soil, while the hydrometer method was used
to determine the distribution of the fine particles in the soil samples. The test was carried out in
accordance with standard. Further laboratory test was carried out to determine the plastic and liquid
limits of the soil samples. The tests were carried out in accordance with standard. Compaction test was
carried out to determine the optimum moisture content at which the maximum dry unit weight was
attained for all the three soil samples using standard Proctor apparatus. In addition, both the California
bearing ratio and shear strength test were carried out on the soil samples with sample specimens for the
tests prepared based on the outcome of the compaction test results.

Varying percentages of coconut fiber (0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.7%, 0.9%, 1.0%, 1.2%
and 1.5%) by weight were mixed with each soil sample separately. Altogether aside control samples,
twenty four samples of various percentages of coir coconut fiber were prepared. The samples
geotechnical properties such as optimum moisture content, maximum dry density, CBR and shear
strength parameters were determined following the procedures used to measure the control samples’
geotechnical properties determination. All experiments carried out were done with four replicates.
3.2 MATERIALS USED:

3.2.1. Coconut Coir Fibre:

Coconut fibre is extracted from the outer shell of a coconut and belongs to the group
of stiff structural fibres. The common name, scientific name and plant family of coconut fibre is coir,
cocos nucifera and arecaceae (palm). There are two types of coconut fibres, a brown fibre extracted
from matured coconuts and white fibres extracted from immature coconuts. Brown fibres are thick,
strong and have high abrasion resistance. White fibres are smoother and more refined, but also weaker.
Coconut fibres are commercially available in three forms, namely bristle (long fibres), mattress
(relatively short) and decorticated (mixed fibres). These different types of fibres have different uses
depending upon the requirement. In engineering, brown fibres are mostly used. The main advantage of
using coconut coir in improving soil subgrade strength is that they are cheap, locally available, and
eco-friendly. In this study, the coconut coir is extracted mainly from the green nut. Coir or coconut
fibre belongs to the group of stiff structural Fibres. The coir fibre is elastic enough to twist without
breaking, and it holds a curl as though permanently waved. The inclusion of fibres had a significant
influence on the engineering behaviour of coir mixtures.

3.2.2 Coir Fiber Structure:

a) Physical properties:

Generally coconut fiber length is 6 to 8 inches and the density of the order of 1.40 g/cc. The
diameter of the single coconut fiber is almost 0.1mm to 1.5mm. The modulus of rigidity is
approximately equal to 1.8924dyne/cm2 . The Coconut coir fibers are capable of resisting strain 4-6
times greater than other fibres .

b) Chemical properties:

The coconut coir fiber contains liganin 45.84%, cellulose 43.44%, hemicellulose 0.025%,
pectins and other compounds 0.03%. The use of coconut fiber improves the efficiency of soil
reinforcement by increasing the tensile strength. Coconut fibers are two main types brown fibers and
white fibers. Brown fibers are obtained from ripe or mature coconuts white fibers are obtained from
green or immature coconuts.
Brown fiber White fiber
 CHAPTER 4
IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECT

For studying, the effect of coconut fiber on expansive soil, the coconut fiber was
added from 0.5% to 1.4% at an increment of 0.3%.
The following tests were conducted on expansive soils and the soil containing the
coconut fiber as per IS code:
➢ Sieve Analysis
➢ Liquid Limit
➢ Standard Proctor Test
➢ California Bearing Ratio Test

4.1 SIEVE ANALYSIS:

Sieve analysis is a method that is used to determine the grain size distribution of
soils that are greater than 0.075 mm in diameter.The grain size analysis test is performed to determine
the percentage of each size of grain that is contained within a soil sample, and the results of the test can
be used to produce the grain size distribution curve..
Sieve analysis is widely used in the classification of soils. The sieves are selected as per I.S
specifications. The data obtained from the grain size distribution curves is used in the design of filters
for earth dams and to determine suitability of soil for road construction, air field etc. The information
produced from the garin size analysis can be used to predict the soil water movement and its
permeability tests are more generally used. The proportion of the soil sample retained on 75 micron I.S
sieve is weighed and recorded weight of the sample is as per I.S 2720. These I.S SIEVES are arranged
in order as shown in the table. No particle of the soil should be pushed through the sieve a sit could
lead to the disturbance in obtaining the results.

Sieves in order
4.2 LIQUID LIMIT:

Liquid limit is defined as the water content at which the clayey soil changes
their behavior from plastic to liquid. The transition from the plastic to the liquid state transition
behavior is gradual over a wide range of different water contents, and the total value for the shear
strength of the soil is not zero at the liquid limit. The definition of the liquid limit totally depends upon
the values of standard test results.
The liquid limit test involves the mixing a pat of clay in round bottomed
porcelain bowl of 10-12cm diameter. A groove is cut throw the pat of the clayey soil with a spatula,
and the bowl is then struck many times against the palm of one hand. Casangrande subsequently
standardized the apparatus and the procedures to make the measurement more repeatable. Then the soil
is placed into the metal cup portion of the casagrande device and a groove is made down its centre with
a standardized tool of 2mm (0.079inch) width. The process of blows is repeated till the point at which
the groove of 12.7mm is obtained and it is defined as the liquid limit. The test is carried out for various
moisture contents, and they moisture content at which it takes 25 blows of the cup to cause the groove
of 12.7mm is interpolated from the obtained results.

Casagrande apparatus
4.3. CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO TEST :
California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test a method of classifying and evaluating
soil – subgrade. The CBR is a measure of resistance of a material to penetration of standard plunger
under controlled density and moisture conditions. Briefly, the test consists of causing a cylindrical
plunger of 50mm diameter to penetrate a soil specimen material at 1.25mm per minute. The loads for
2.5mm and 5mm re-recorded. This load is expressed as a percentage standard load value at respective
deformation level to obtain CBR value. The standard load values were obtained from the average of a
large number of tests on different crushed stones under the given table .

CBR apparatus
4.4. STANDARD PROCTOR TEST:
This method includes the determination of the relationship between optimum
moisture content and dry density of the soil sample compacted in a mould of a given size with a 2.5kg
rammer dropped from a height of 30 cm. the sample is firstly oven-dried approximately 5kg in a pan.
The weight of empty mould and soil sample is calculated respectively. The water content to be added
to the soil starts from 5% with an increment of 3% to the soil samples . The test is repeated upto the
point at which the Optimum Moisture Content and the Maximum Dry Density of the soil is obtained.

Standard proctor apparatus