EGU25-15867, updated on 15 Mar 2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-15867
EGU General Assembly 2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Studies of Rubber Bands reutilization for Soil Reinforcement
Chieh-Sheng Chen
Chieh-Sheng Chen
  • Ph.D. student, Department of Civil Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan (n68111029@gs.ncku.edu.tw)

For geohazard mitigation, various methods have been researched, including the use of tension materials and solid wastes (Hung et al. 2024, Liu and Hung 2023, Gumanta et al. 2023). The authors previously investigated the feasibility of utilizing disposable medical masks for soil reinforcement, which were widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic (Ghadr et al. 2022). Considering the limited ductility of face mask fibers, which may lead to breakage under high strain. This study explores the feasibility of using highly elastic and resilient material – rubber bands for soil reinforcement. Note that before the test, preprocessing and preparing specimens is essential for triaxial consolidation undrained tests. It was crucial to ensure uniform mixing and proper aspect ratios to achieve effective interaction.

Based on our preliminary results, rubber band fibers could improve the mechanical behavior of the sand, increasing its shear strength. However, when the rubber band fiber content exceeded a critical threshold, the strength slightly declined. Further research should be conducted to explore the reinforcement mechanisms of rubber band fibers, optimal content and aspect ratio to ensure effective reinforcement for various engineering applications, such as shallow foundations and slopes.

 

Reference:
Ghadr, S., Chen, C. S., Liu, C. H., & Hung, C. (2022). Mechanical behavior of sands reinforced with shredded face masks. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment81(8), 317.

Gumanta, F. S., Ghadr, S., Chen, C. S., Liu, C. H., Hung, C., & Assadi-Langroudi, A. (2023). Enhancing the mechanical and hydromechanical behaviors of mudstone soils using sugarcane press mud. Transportation Geotechnics40, 100948.

Hung C., Chen C. S., Liu C. H., Lin C. Y., Hsu C. Y., Wang Y. W., Lin K. Y. A. (2024). Recent Advances in Soil Stabilization and Reinforcement: A Comprehensive Review of Emerging Technologies. (under review)

Liu, C. H., & Hung, C. (2023). Reutilization of solid wastes to improve the hydromechanical and mechanical behaviors of soils—a state-of-the-art review. Sustainable Environment Research33(1), 17.

How to cite: Chen, C.-S.: Studies of Rubber Bands reutilization for Soil Reinforcement, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-15867, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-15867, 2025.