Journal of the Korean Geo-Environmental Society ISSN:1598-0820(Print) 2714-1233(Online) 한국지반환경공학회 논문집

This study systematically examines the changes in the compressive and tensile strength of soil cement reinforced by natural hair fiber, which is regularly produced from human. Extensive experimental tests of various test specimens have been carried out in a laboratory. Several factors are considered, including the soil type, amount of cement, amount of fiber, fiber length, loading type, and curing age. The test results indicate that both the compressive and tensile　strengths are significantly affected by the fiber, either increasing or decreasing depending on the conditions. The increase in tensile strength is significant in the sand-based soil cement due to the tensile resistance of the fiber which is interlocked with the surrounding soil or cement particles. The natural fiber provides a larger strain to failure due to its extensibility, which allows greater deformation. Based on the test results, natural hair fibers can be an effective and environmentally friendly way to improve soil ground subjected to tensile loading, such as an embankment slope, road subgrade, or landfill, thus reducing the cost for cement and waste treatment. The study results provide a useful information of better understanding the mechanical behavior of natural hair fiber in soil cement and the practical use of waste materials in civil engineering. The findings can be practically applied for improving earth structures under tensile loading.