Investigation of Geotechnical Properties of Soil Using Shredded Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Wastes

This initiative is concerned with the full analysis, improvement, and stabilization of soil characteristics using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) wastes. Soil stabilization is the progression of improving the characteristics of local soil engineering. This soil stabilization method can be used successfully to satisfy societal challenges. Because soil is a crucial component of nature, and soil provides all of life's fundamental requirements, such as food, clothing, and shelter, using plastic as a soil stabilizer would decrease the amount of trash deposited in land and seas, as well as the harmful effects on the ecosystem. The present study is conducted with the purpose of investigating whether plastic waste finds any usage in soil stabilization. Effect on soil properties by carrying out direct shear tests, Proctor tests, and California Bearing Ratio tests is the primary concern of this study. The outcomes are analyzed for various tests and inferences, and conclusions are strained toward the suitability, usefulness, and efficiency of fiber as reinforcement mean for soil stabilization. In this present study, a series of tests were conducted on soil samples without and with plastic reinforcement. The maximum dry density upsurges by 4.41% from soil with no plastic to plastic with 1% by weight with aspect ratio of 3. Also, optimum moisture content of soil with plastic decreases by 2.21% from soil with no plastic. From direct shear test, cohesion value rises from 0.1 to 0.16 kg/cm(2) from no reinforcement to reinforcement with aspect ratio of 2 with 1% of plastic content by weight of sample. Angle of internal friction was increased from 41 to 43.5 degrees from zero reinforcement to reinforcement of aspect ratio 2. Increase in CBR value is 4.86% for unsoaked sample, and increase in CBR value is 6.81% for soaked sample.