The effect of randomly distributed natural fibers on some geotechnical characteristics of a lateritic soil

Abstract Weak lateritic subgrades are more often than not encountered during road construction in Ghana. This makes it necessary to find economically efficient ways improve the engineering properties of these marginal soils. The objective this study is investigate effects coconut fiber (30 mm, 60 mm and 90 lengths) palm on some geotechnical characteristics a weak subgrade. soil was collected from KNUST campus blended with various percentages fibers varying between 0.1 1.0% by weight dry soil. mixed materials were then subjected laboratory tests including compaction, unconfined compression test 4-day-soaked California bearing ratio test. From results, observed that increasing content decreased maximum density increased optimum moisture content. inclusion soaked CBR 7 18, 22, 25 at 30 lengths, respectively. compressive strength also 140 353 kPa, 398 kPa 447 respectively, for lengths. Similarly, recorded value 14% UCS 352 kPa. These peak values obtained contents 0.2%.