Using Waste PET Shreds for Soil Stabilization: Efficiency and Durability Assessment

Abstract Encountering weak fine-grained soil presents a significant challenge during highway construction. The conventional approach to address this involves incorporating calcium-based stabilizers, particularly cement, for stabilization. However, despite its widespread use, the application of cement stabilization has adverse environmental consequences. Accordingly, finding alternative methods minimize usage become prominent area research, from researchers worldwide. This study evaluates effectiveness utilizing discarded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle shreds as reinforcement alongside lower contents. To end, samples were mixed with varied contents two grades shredded PET. ground PET pellets, which displayed diverse shapes, demonstrated properties resembling fibres. Compacted subjected CBR determine optimum content. Strength, small-strain stiffness and durability soils in original state, measured by programme CBR, wetting–drying cycles, ultrasonic pulse experiments. Findings suggest 28–91% increase strength upon mixing cement—PET shreds. Substituting shred led drop accumulated loss mass (ALM). In twelve cycles wetting drying, initially decreased, but then stabilized at approximately same value subsequent cycles. porosity binder ratio was adopted an index ALM maximum shear modulus. latter finally proposed measure durability.