Experimental Study of Combined Effects of Fibers and Nanosilica on Mechanical Properties of Cemented Sand

In this study, a series of laboratory tests were performed to investigate the effects of nanosilica and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber on the mechanical properties and durability of cemented sand. The cement contents were 2, 4, and 6% by weight of the dry sand, and specimens were cured for 7, 28, and 90 days. The fiber contents were 0.0, 0.3, 0.6, and 1% by weight of dry sand cement mixture, and the nanosilica contents were 0, 4, 8, and 12% by weight of cement. Unconfined compression strength (UCS) and resist chloride ion penetration (CIP) were assessed in this study. The results showed an optimum percentage for the nanosilica in which the behavior of fiber-reinforced cemented sand improves significantly. (C) 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.