Effect of reinforcing wool fibres on fracture and energy absorption properties of an earthen material

The study investigated the improvements in strength and crack resistance induced by the introduction of wool fibres in an earthen material. Earthen samples reinforced by wool fibres of various fibre lengths at different fibre weight fractions were tested under flexural loading to examine the structural response of the material in terms of first-crack resistance, post-cracking residual strength and energy absorption capability. It was found that the fibrous reinforcement greatly improved the residual strength, the ductility and the energy absorption of the reinforced material as compared to the unreinforced soil. The results of the study also showed that fibre length had a notable influence on the post-fracture response of the material at large deformation regimes.

► We studied the effect of wool fibres on strength and post-fracture properties of an earthen material.
► Wool fibres do not substantially modify the initial elastic response and the first crack strength.
► Wool fibres greatly improve the residual strength and energy absorption of the material.
► Fibre length has a significant influence on the post-fracture flexural response at large deflections.