Multifunctional Geotextiles Produced from Reclaimed Fibres and Their Role in Ecological Engineering

Abstract

Earthworks in the vicinity of roads, open mines, subsidence tanks and other man-made objects can lead to the creation of slopes that undergo erosion. One of the methods that can prevent their degradation and reclaim them is the use of geotextiles. An environmentally friendly option is using geotextiles that are produced from reclaimed fibres. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of the mechanical and chemical properties of geotextiles, namely, ropes and fibres (containing wool and polypropylene), not only on the rate of the greening of slopes but also on the species composition of vegetation. We studied the floristic composition, species diversity, species growth and soil properties of four sites of reclaimed slopes on which 46 study plots (5 m × 5 m) were laid out. We found that some species were more confined to a higher content of wool and that other species were more confined to the content of polypropylene. Both materials caused a decrease in the Shannon–Wiener diversity but an increase in evenness under the impact of ropes when compared to the control. They both also contributed to a higher mean height of the plants when compared to the control. The rate of the plant colonisation process was markedly improved by the reclaimed geotextiles. A longer and more detailed study is required to examine the effect of geotextile ropes on habitat creation.

Study on Non-Limited Earth Pressures of Soilbag-Reinforced Retaining Structures with Surcharge Loads

“…The lateral compressive stress-strain characteristics of soilbags were investigated using a direct shear test apparatus, details of which are elaborated in the work of Fan et al [5]. In this setup, two layers of soilbags were positioned on the apparatus's base.…”

“…Geosynthetic materials, such as geotextiles, geomembranes, and geogrids, are often made from recycled or recyclable materials. Their use in civil engineering projects helps in reducing the dependency on natural resources and minimizes environmental footprints [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Soilbags are a form of application of geosynthetic materials in civil engineering.…”