Adopting palm as a reinforcement material for Shanghai clay

the direct shear tests are carried out to study the effect of palm on Shanghai clay strength characteristics by changing the reinforcement ratio and palm size of reinforcing material. The results show that: (1) Compared with the pure soil

the reinforced soil shear strength and cohesion have improved significantly

but small changes in the angle of internal friction. (2) The optimal rate of reinforcement is 0.6%. (3) The shear strength of shanghai clay with palm size of 6 mm×12 mm is higher than that with palm size of 6 mm×6 mm and 6 mm×18 mm. (4) When the vertical load is 100 kPa

the stress-strain curve is of strain softening type; with the vertical load increasing

the stress-strain curve is of strain hardening type. (5) Compared with pure soil

the reduction of residual strength of reinforced soil is reduced; and its resistance deformation enhance. At the same time

the reinforcement mechanism of the clay shearing strength and the effect of the palm in the clay are expounded. Therefore

the palm can be used as an effective method for reinforcing Shanghai clay.