Influence of Zeolite on Compressive and Flexural Strength of Sand Containing Cement and Steel Fibers

Due to the environmental pollution caused by the production and consumption of cement, the demand for new and environmentally friendly methods to improve and strengthen the soil is increasing. In addition, reinforcing the soil with steel fibers improves the mechanical properties, including the formability and bearing capacity of the soil. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effect of zeolite on the behavior of cemented sand soil reinforced with steel fibers. In the following, the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test was used to check the compressive strength, and the flexural strength (FT) test was used to check the flexural. It should be mentioned that to improve the soil from cement in the amount of 5% by weight, zeolite in the amount of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% was used instead of cement, as well as steel fibers in the amount of 2% and random distribution in the curing of 28-day. In the results of unconfined compressive strength tests, the best replacement percentage of zeolite instead of cement in sandy soil was 25%, which initiated an increase in unconfined compressive strength and an increase in the failure strain of the sample. In the results of flexural strength tests, 25% of zeolite to replace cement in sandy soil affected the greatest increase in flexural strength and increased soft behavior. In addition, with the addition of steel fibers, the samples endured much more displacements than those without fibers.