Investigation of the Use of Sugarcane Bagasse for Soil Reinforcement in Geotechnical Applications

Abstract

The global initiative of minimizing the generation of waste materials and the reduction in the environmental footprints of industrial processes has impelled the innovation into their use in geotechnical applications. Use of these materials in this manner, especially as soil reinforcements, could help solve the drudgery and the secondary snags of disposing of the materials. This study therefore aimed at investigating the effects of sugarcane bagasse reinforcement on selected South African soils as well as the drawbacks of the environmental conditions on the composite formed. Different types of sugarcane bagasse were utilised in evaluating their effect on the shear strength characteristics of the composite. The results indicated a higher improvement in the angle of internal friction in finely grained soil compared to coarsely grained soil. Saturation of the composite in water insignificantly reduced the strength characteristics beyond 2 days. In addition, an increase in the shear characteristics depended on the bagasse type and content, and on the vertical load.