Experimental Investigations on Strength and Durability of Alkali-Activated Binder-Treated Natural Jute Geotextile

Abstract

The application of natural fibers for improving the strength of soft soil is gaining recent global popularity to achieve sustainable development. However, the biodegradability of natural fibers within 6-12 months is the main source of a hindrance towards its practical implementation. Treatment of natural fibers with antimicrobial chemicals, plant-derived oils, acetylation, and bitumen coating results in improving the durability of natural fibers, but these methods are costly and may cause leaching. The current work suggests a unique treatment approach for natural jute geotextiles that involves treating these geotextiles with an alkali-activated binder (AAB) to improve their strength and durability. Fly ash, an aluminosilicate-rich industrial waste, reacts with a sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide-based activator solution to form AAB. The water-to-solids ratios (w/s) are maintained at 0.30, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, and 0.50 for treatment of the fibers. The untreated and treated natural geotextiles are subjected to different durability tests including soil burial, compost burial, exposure to acids and alkalis, and hydrolysis of water for three different periods of 30, 60, and 90 days. The durability performance is assessed by analyzing the surface texture, surface morphology, change in chemical bonds, weight loss, tensile strength, and elongation at failure (fiber breaking). It is observed from the durability studies that the AAB treatment makes the jute geotextile harder and more resistant to exposure to different chemicals. It is also been determined that jute coated with an AAB of 0.35 w/s ratio degrades the least.

Resistance of the fiber-derived geotextile from Typha domingensis submitted to field degradation

“…This durability can be attributed to the creation of a superficial coating in the geotextiles by the resin application, reducing the hydromorphic nature of the fiber, making it firmer and resulting in greater durability 53 . Another benefit obtained by resin coating is resistance to the occurrence of damage caused by granulometric degradation that results from contact with soil particles such as silt and sand 54 .…”

Geotechnical changes of Thypha domingensis fiber-derived geotextile under degradation due to climatic variables

“…Pore reduction allows for the prolonged maintenance of key geotechnical properties 41 . This durability can be attributed to the creation of a super cial coating in the geotextiles by the resin application, reducing the hydromorphic nature of the ber, making it rmer and resulting in greater durability 42,43 . Another bene t obtained by resin coating is resistance to the occurrence of damage caused by granulometric degradation that results from contact with soil particles such as silt and sand 44 .…”