This study examines the effect of reinforcement materials on the flexural strength and deflection of the low-plastic clay soil beams. All soil beams were compacted inside a steel mold of dimensions (400 mm × 100 mm ×100 mm) in five layers using the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content from standard compaction test. The deflection and flexural resistance of the unreinforced soil beams were 42 mm and 1.55 N, respectively. Several materials were used to reinforce the soil beams such as aluminum strips, plastic mesh (Geogrid), palm leaves (sedge) and iron filings. The use of reinforcement materials resulted in increase in the flexural resistance and decrease in deflection of soil beams compared with unreinforced soil beam. When using Aluminum strip reinforcement, the flexural strength of the soil increased by about 61% while, the use of geo-grid, palm leaves and iron filings increased in the flexural about (211%, 122.6% and 142%), respectively. The use of reinforcing materials had a varying effect on increasing the deflection of soil reinforced beams. Moreover, the elasticity of soil beam and mode of failure was changed from brittle to ductile when these materials were used except aluminum strips and iron filings. Finally, the results of the theoretical analyses using Geo-Studio software (SIGMA/W) showed a high degree of convergence with the results of the laboratory sample tests, where the difference in settlement value about (1.71% to 4.91%) for the soil beams reinforced with aluminum strips and palm leaves strips respectively Therefore, this can be considered a basis for modeling different cases in terms of dimensions, number, and distribution pattern of reinforcement layers.
