Enhanced sand strength through low-density polyethylene reinforcement

The current study examined the impact of incorporating low-density polyethylene (LDPE) on the behavior of sand through consolidated-drained triaxial tests. The tests varied parameters such as percentage addition and inter-particle void ratio. Results showed that the peak strength of LDPE-mixed sand increased by roughly 40% for 1.5% to 2.0% LDPE content compared to unreinforced specimens. However, peak strength decreased with further increases in LDPE content beyond 2.0%. Thus, LDPE content of 1.5% to 2.0% was identified as the optimal mass percentage for increasing sand strength. The shear stiffness of the LDPE mixed sand also decreased by 25-35% compared to unreinforced samples. The study attributed strength variation and stiffness reduction of sand mixed with LDPE to friction characteristics between sand particle-to-sand particle, sand particles-to-LDPE, and LDPE-toLDPE, and microscopic observations of the specimens. Although low-friction LDPE reduced initial stiffness, peak strength increased due to the pullout resistance of LDPE sheets across potential shear bands. However, excessive LDPE addition caused pronounced overlapping of LDPE sheets, leading to a decrease in frictional properties and a reduction in strength.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effect of incorporating low-density polyethylene (LDPE) on sand behavior through consolidated-drained triaxial tests. The results showed that the addition of 1.5% to 2.0% LDPE content increased the peak strength of the sand by approximately 40%, but further increases in LDPE content led to a decrease in peak strength. Therefore, an LDPE content of 1.5% to 2.0% was identified as the optimal percentage for enhancing sand strength. The shear stiffness of the LDPE-mixed sand also decreased by 25-35% compared to unreinforced samples.