Use of Taguchi Method to Evaluate the Hydraulic Conductivity of Lignocellulosic Fibers - Reinforced Soil

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Faculty of civil engineering, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran

2 Department of civil engineering, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran

3 Wood and Paper Engineering Faculty, University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

Abstract

Population growth and the subsequent need for development of infrastructures along with lack of lands with appropriate geotechnical properties have made soil improvement more common. This is while use of traditional materials in civil engineering projects has raised questions over their environmental impacts. Lignocellulosic fibers, considered as an eco - friendly and renewable source, can be suitable materials to replace traditional additives. In this investigation, three types of lignocellulosic fibers including soft woods bleached pulp (S.W.), old containers pulp (O.C.) and wheat straw soda high yield pulp (W.S.) were used as reinforcement materials. Moreover, Taguchi’s design of experiment (DOE) was used to determine the optimum conditions corresponding to three curing times. The Taguchi analyses indicated 2 percent of 1mm - long S.W. fibers would lead to the lowest hydraulic conductivity while 1 percent of 1.5 mm - long O.C. fibers and 1 percent of 0.5 mm - long W.S. fibers would contribute to the lowest hydraulic conductivity coefficients among 7 and 14 day - cured specimens, respectively. Furthermore, according to the analysis of variance (ANOVA), fiber content was the most effective parameter on the hydraulic conductivity coefficients of 1 and 14 day - cured specimens. This is while fiber length was the most influential one on the hydraulic conductivity of 7 day - cured specimens. The results of this paper indicate the high potential applications of such statistical methods in geotechnical engineering.

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AUT Journal of Civil Engineering

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 09 September 2020

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