Physico-Mechanical Characterisation of an Earth Bar and Bamboo Fiber Composite Material for Road Construction

Road construction in Africa is faced with a shortage of quality materials, leading to delays and increased costs. Traditional materials, such as clay soils of the bar soil type, have inadequate properties for pavement sub-base layers, particularly in terms of bearing capacity. This study explores a composite material combining bar soil and bamboo fibers to improve the mechanical performance of bar soil, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution. The Tori-Bossito bar soil was characterised by particle size analysis, Atterberg limits, Proctor compaction tests and the California Bearing Ratio (CBR). The results show that this material is a class A2 sandy-clay soil with a CBR of 18, which is insufficient for foundation layers requiring a CBR of over 30. To improve its performance, Sèmè-Kpodji bamboo fibers, 30 to 100 microns in diameter and 3 to 5 cm long, were incorporated at rates of 0.9% to 2.7%. The optimum mix, with 2.4% fiber, has a CBR of 35, a dry density of 1.92 t/m3 and a moisture content of 12.4%. This reinforced material is suitable as a base course for low-traffic roadways.