Description:BACKGROUND
Field of the invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to soil stabilization and particularly to a method for enhancing soil strength with basalt fiber reinforcement.
Description of Related Art
[002] Conventional construction methods that rely on soil as a primary building material have played a fundamental role in the advancement of human infrastructure for an extended period. However, these conventional methods have inherent limitations that challenge their load-bearing capacity and long-term durability. It has become increasingly evident that innovative solutions are required to overcome these limitations and enhance structural performance of soil-based construction.
[003] One of the primary challenges faced by conventional soil-based structures is their capacity to support heavy loads. Soil, although abundant and readily available, often lacks requisite strength to withstand substantial loads and endure various environmental conditions. As a result, it becomes imperative to seek alternative methods that can fortify and reinforce soil-based structures, thereby ensuring their stability and longevity.
[004] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced method that utilizes Basalt fiber as a reinforcement material to enhance the load-bearing capacity and overall durability of the soil-based structures.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a method for enhancing soil strength with Basalt fiber reinforcement. The method comprising steps of: collecting undisturbed soil sample from a first pre-defined source; extracting and preparing Basalt fiber from a second pre-defined source; mixing pre-determined proportions of the prepared Basalt fiber with the soil sample to create a uniform mixture; preparing specimens of the mixture of the soil sample and the Basalt fiber in standardized molds; and performing tests on the prepared specimens for strength analysis on the soil sample reinforced with the Basalt fiber.
[006] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a method that utilizes Basalt fiber as a reinforcement material to significantly enhance load-bearing capacity and overall durability of soil-based structures.
[007] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a method that integrates a precise percentage of Basalt fibre content into the soil to significantly enhance compression strength and optimize soil stability for construction applications.
[008] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[009] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1A illustrates a soil sample, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 1B illustrates Basalt fiber, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0013] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method for enhancing soil strength with Basalt fiber reinforcement, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0016] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0017] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0018] FIG. 1A illustrates a soil sample 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the soil sample 100 may be collected from a first pre-defined source such as, but not limited to, a project site, an area of interest, pre-established soil repositories, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the first pre-defined source.
[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the soil sample 100 may be carefully excavated, ensuring that it remains undisturbed and retains its natural characteristics. Further, the soil sample 100 may be taken to a laboratory for testing and experimentation, in an embodiment of the present invention. In such embodiment of the present invention, the soil sample 100 may be typically air-dried and sieved to remove any foreign particles or debris that may affect a testing process.
[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, a sieve may be used for performing sieve analysis of the soil sample 100. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the soil sample 100 may be placed on top of the sieve, that may be a part of stack of sieves with progressively smaller openings. In such embodiment of the present invention, the stack of sieves may be mechanically or manually shaken for a specified period of time. During this process, soil particles may be separated by size, with finer particles passing through openings of the sieve and coarser particles being retained on top of the sieve. In other words, the sieve analysis may be performed to determine a particle size distribution of the soil sample 100.
[0021] FIG. 1B illustrates Basalt fiber 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the Basalt fiber 102 may be utilized as a reinforcement material and offers a potential to significantly enhance a load-bearing capacity and overall durability of soil-based structures. By incorporating the Basalt fiber 102 into a matrix of the soil sample 100, engineers and construction professionals may effectively mitigate limitations associated with traditional soil construction methods.
[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the Basalt fiber 102 may be extracted from a second pre-defined source such as volcanic basalt rock through a series of processes. In such embodiment of the present invention, the processes may include, but not limited to, crushing a rock, melting it at high temperatures, and then extruding or spinning molten material into fibers. Once the fibers are produced, they may undergo further treatments or coatings to enhance their compatibility with the matrix of the soil sample 100.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the Basalt fiber 102 may be introduced into the matrix of the soil sample 100 to reinforce it and improve its engineering properties. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the Basalt fiber 102 may exhibit remarkable tensile strength, making it ideal for reinforcing materials like soil. When incorporated into the matrix of the soil sample 100, the Basalt fiber 102 may enhance the soil's ability to resist deformation and external forces, thereby increasing its load-bearing capacity. In an embodiment of the present invention, a pre-determined proportion of the Basalt fiber 102 may be mixed with the soil sample 100. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, mixing of the Basalt fiber 102 to the soil sample 100 may be carried out by normal mixing using a mechanical mixing equipment. In such embodiment of the present invention, the mechanical mixing equipment may include, but not limited to, concrete mixers, paddle mixers, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the mechanical mixing equipment that may allow for thorough and efficient mixing including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the Basalt fiber 102 and the soil sample 100 may be mixed until it achieves a uniform mixture as this uniformity may be crucial for achieving consistent testing and analysis results.
[0025] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, a mixing process of the Basalt fiber 102 and the soil sample 100 may be carried out for a pre-determined amount of time to ensure the uniform mixing of the Basalt fiber 102 with the particles of the soil sample 100.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, specimens may be prepared by taking a portion of the mixed soil-basalt fiber. In such embodiment of the present invention, the specimens may be prepared to ensure consistency in testing and analysis.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the specimens may be typically shaped using molds that may be designed to meet specific testing standards. In such embodiment of the present invention, the molds may be, but not limited to, cylindrical, cubical, and so forth. In an embodiment of the present invention, a shape of the mold may depend on a type of test to be conducted. For example, compression tests may require cylindrical specimens, while shear tests may use cubical specimens.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, some tests may require the specimens to undergo a curing period where they are stored under controlled conditions for a specified duration. In such embodiment of the present invention, curing may allow the soil-basalt fiber mixture to set and develop desired properties before testing.
[0029] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the tests may be, but not limited to, compression tests, tensile tests, shear tests, permeability tests, and so forth to evaluate mechanical properties and strength characteristics of the soil sample 100 when reinforced with the Basalt fiber 102. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the tests.
[0030] During tests, data may be collected on how the soil-basalt fiber specimens perform under various conditions and loads. The data may include, but not limited to, measurements of strength, deformation, and so forth. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data collected from the tests may be analyzed to determine the impact of Basalt fiber 102 reinforcement on the behaviour and properties of the soil sample 100. This analysis may help in making informed decisions about the suitability of the soil-basalt fiber composite for construction or geotechnical applications.
[0031] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method 200 for enhancing soil 100 strength with Basalt fiber 102 reinforcement, according of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] At step 202, the undisturbed soil sample 100 may be collected from the first pre-defined source.
[0033] At step 204, the Basalt fiber 102 may be extracted and prepared from the second pre-defined source.
[0034] At step 206, the pre-determined proportions of the prepared Basalt fiber 102 with the soil sample 100 may be mixed to create the uniform mixture.
[0035] At step 208, the specimens of the mixture of the soil sample 100 and the Basalt fiber 102 may be prepared in standardized molds.
[0036] At step 210, the tests may be conducted on the prepared specimens for strength analysis on the soil sample 100 reinforced with the Basalt fiber 102.
[0037] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0038] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A method (200) for enhancing soil (100) strength with Basalt fiber (102) reinforcement, wherein the method (200) comprising steps of:
collecting a soil sample (100) from a first pre-defined source;
extracting and preparing the Basalt fiber (102) from a second pre-defined source;
mixing pre-determined proportions of the prepared Basalt fiber (102) with the soil sample (100) to create a uniform mixture;
preparing specimens of the mixture of the soil sample (100) and the Basalt fiber (102) in standardized molds; and
performing tests on the prepared specimens for strength analysis on the soil sample (100) reinforced with the Basalt fiber (102).
2. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collected soil sample (100) undergoes air-drying and sieving to eliminate foreign particles.
3. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tests are selected from compression tests, tensile tests, shear tests, or permeability tests.
4. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein mixing of the Basalt fiber (102) to the soil sample (100) is carried out by normal mixing.
5. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a shape of the mold depends on a type of the test to be conducted.
6. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mixing of the Basalt fiber (102) and the soil sample (100) is carried out for a pre-determined amount of time.
7. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second pre-defined source is volcanic basalt rock.
8. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tests require the specimens to undergo a curing period where the specimens are stored under controlled conditions for a specified duration.
9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the curing allows the mixture of the soil sample (100) and the Basalt fiber (102) to set and develop desired properties before testing.
10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first pre-defined source is selected from a project site, an area of interest, or pre-established soil repositories.
Date: October 26, 2023
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant