Scholarlink

<p>Natural fibers are being increasingly promoted as eco-friendly substitutes for synthetic reinforcements. However, many promising bio-fibers are still not being used because there remains a lack of systematic scientific characterization and application-oriented validation. Borassus flabellifer Fiber (BFF) is an abundant, yet underutilized, agro-waste resource. Although it has been available for many years, the objective of this paper is to demonstrate how the properties of BFLBF (Borassus flabellifer Leaf Base Fiber) relate to its usefulness as a geotechnical reinforcing material. To achieve this, an extensive evaluation of the fiber’s morphological, chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties was performed; BFLBF was then compared to coir, sisal, flax and cotton, all of which are well-established natural fibers. Additionally, BFLBF was tested within a soil matrix by adding Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu’s CL (Low plastic) Clay as the base material. The soil matrix was created by adding coir and two size ranges of BFLBF (300&#xa0;μm and 600&#xa0;μm) to make up the soils with fiber lengths of 1&#xa0;cm, 2&#xa0;cm, and 3&#xa0;cm, at amounts of 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5%. This creates a direct point of comparison. Proctor Compaction, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) testing were conducted to assess how BFLBF performed relative to traditional materials when soaked or unsoaked. Results indicate that the addition of fiber decreases the maximum dry density (MDD) but increases the optimum moisture content (OMC), while both UCS and CBR were significantly improved; this establishes that any increase in strength through the incorporation of fiber was due to mechanical reinforcement and not densification. While coir enhances shear strength, excessive dosage leads to fiber agglomeration and reduced efficiency. BFLBF, on the other hand, has higher peak strength, better post-yield resistance, and superior soaked performance, especially at 300&#xa0;μm diameter. The study confirms that BFLBF is a experimentally validated, bio-compatible and geotechnically superior natural reinforcement demonstrating significant potential for long-term ground improvement.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Physicochemical Characterization and Geotechnical Assessment of Borassus flabellifer Leaf Base Fiber-Reinforced Clay

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月8日

查看全文
  • Gokul Vembaian,
  • Kasinathan Muthukkumaran

摘要

Natural fibers are being increasingly promoted as eco-friendly substitutes for synthetic reinforcements. However, many promising bio-fibers are still not being used because there remains a lack of systematic scientific characterization and application-oriented validation. Borassus flabellifer Fiber (BFF) is an abundant, yet underutilized, agro-waste resource. Although it has been available for many years, the objective of this paper is to demonstrate how the properties of BFLBF (Borassus flabellifer Leaf Base Fiber) relate to its usefulness as a geotechnical reinforcing material. To achieve this, an extensive evaluation of the fiber’s morphological, chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties was performed; BFLBF was then compared to coir, sisal, flax and cotton, all of which are well-established natural fibers. Additionally, BFLBF was tested within a soil matrix by adding Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu’s CL (Low plastic) Clay as the base material. The soil matrix was created by adding coir and two size ranges of BFLBF (300 μm and 600 μm) to make up the soils with fiber lengths of 1 cm, 2 cm, and 3 cm, at amounts of 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5%. This creates a direct point of comparison. Proctor Compaction, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) testing were conducted to assess how BFLBF performed relative to traditional materials when soaked or unsoaked. Results indicate that the addition of fiber decreases the maximum dry density (MDD) but increases the optimum moisture content (OMC), while both UCS and CBR were significantly improved; this establishes that any increase in strength through the incorporation of fiber was due to mechanical reinforcement and not densification. While coir enhances shear strength, excessive dosage leads to fiber agglomeration and reduced efficiency. BFLBF, on the other hand, has higher peak strength, better post-yield resistance, and superior soaked performance, especially at 300 μm diameter. The study confirms that BFLBF is a experimentally validated, bio-compatible and geotechnically superior natural reinforcement demonstrating significant potential for long-term ground improvement.

Graphical Abstract