Abstract:
This thesis presented the study of engineering properties of sandy soil reinforced with Vetiver grass root focusing on the shear strength of soil and root tensile strength affecting shear strength of soil. The study of shear strength comprised of direct shear test of both reinforced soil and non-reinforced soil in field and laboratory concerning effects of growing periods. The study of root tensile strength was carried out by considering effects of root diameter and growing periods in laboratory. In the field, the 4-weeks-old Ratchaburi vetiver steins ,which are 20 centimeter long with root length of 10 centimeters, were planted in a grid pattern of lOcm xlOO cm. While in laboratory, the grass were planted in PVC cylinder with the diameter of 15 cm. Tensile test of vetiver root and direct shear test of soil were undergone in laboratory and in field for growing periods of 1 to 6 months, respectively. Froin test results, the growing rate of Vetiver roots, which have direct proportion to the growing periods, range in between 19.00 to 24.33 cm per month. The Root content is indirectly proportional to ground level. The tensile resistance is directly proportional to root diameter. The ultimate tensile strength is indirectly proportional to root diameter. At the average root diameter of 1.26 mm., the ultiinate tensile strength is equal 36.37 to 1,476.87 ksc. The modulus of elasticity is indirectly proportional to root diameter. The modulus of elasticity is directly proportional to ultiinate tensile strength. All three equations have R~ coefficient over 0.8, therefore, reflects high degree of reliability. Moreover, the increased shear strength of soil in laboratory and field, which rely on the ratio of root cross sectional area to soil cross sectional area, growing period and natural water content. The results revealed that shear strength of soil reinforced with Vetiver grass roots in the laboratory and field are higher than that of soil without reinforcement by 32.61 percent to 1042.55 pcrcent and 28.21 percent to 102.34 percent, respectively.