*3.1. Sample Preparation*

The expansive soil obtained from the field was air-dried, pulverized, and sieved using sieve No. 20. The soil fraction is mixed with optimum lime content (i.e., 6% of lime added to the soil by dry weight) and fiber (FC and FM) at selected dosages of 0.2% and 0.6%. The lengths of fibers were kept at 6 mm and 12 mm, resulting in 17 mix combinations in triplicates (including untreated soil) for the entire experimental work. A total of 51 specimens (including triplicates) were tested in FWP. Previous studies on the compaction properties of fiber-reinforced soil have revealed that the fiber inclusion had little or no effect on variations in maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC) of various mix proportions [12,25,26]. Based on this, all the specimens in the present study were molded at fixed MDD (16.08 kN/m3) and corresponding OMC (25%). Soil, lime, and fibers at various proportions were mixed in dry condition; then, the target moisture content was added and mixed thoroughly to obtain a homogenous mixture. Statically compacted specimens of 70 mm diameter and 35 mm height were kept in a desiccator at a relative humidity > 95% and cured for a period of 7 and 28 days.
