FUNDAMENTAL STUDY TO IMPROVE THE COMPRESSIVE MATERIAL PROPERTIES OF WALL SOILS THAT MIMIC SWALLOW NESTS

Abstract

This study aimed to improve the compressive material properties of wall clays by analyzing the material composition of swallow nests. Uniaxial compression tests were conducted to evaluate the effects of fiber orientation, fiber length, fiber diameter, fiber content, and mucin as a solidifying agent. The results revealed that fibers-oriented perpendicular to compressive forces improved the compressive material properties. When the fibers contained in wall clays had shorter lengths, larger diameters, and lower content, these properties were enhanced. Additionally, mucin derived from swallow saliva demonstrated its effectiveness as a solidifying agent.