Feasibility of saline soil reinforced with treated wheat straw and lime

Saline soils in inshore areas have characteristics that are problematic to engineering such as salt expansion, dissolution and water absorption; therefore, these soils cannot meet the requirements of strength and anti-deformation in construction. A method of reinforcing saline soil with wheat straw and lime was investigated in this study. Specifically, the feasibility of using wheat straw treated with an SH (modified polyvinyl alcohol) agent as reinforcement and the compaction and strength of saline soil reinforced with wheat straw and lime were investigated. The results indicated that wheat straw treated with SH agent is suitable for use as a reinforced material owing to its higher corrosion resistance, tensile force and elongation. Additionally, reinforcement with wheat straw and lime was found to have a positive effect on the mechanical properties of soil. Reinforcement with wheat straw fiber enhanced the strength of soil during the early curing period and reduced the brittle failure problem associated with lime soil. Reinforcing soil with wheat straw and lime is an effective method for improving soil in the geotechnical field. 2012 The Japanese Geotechnical Society. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.