Performance of alkali-activated binder-treated jute geotextile as reinforcement for subgrade stabilization

Abstract

Geotextiles are widely used for reinforcing soil, improving drainage, controlling soil erosion and embankment construction. Existing research recommends the improvement of soil in an economic and eco-friendly manner using jute geotextiles. However, jute fibres have the tendency to degrade in the acidic and alkaline environment of the soil. Jute geotextile treated with antimicrobial chemicals are used as a substitute for manmade geosynthetics, as it improves the life expectancy of jute. But these chemicals are expensive and are a potential source of leaching. The present study aims to develop a fly ash-based treatment procedure that is economic, ecologically safe as well as significantly improves the engineering and strength properties of jute as a geotextile. There is an increasing interest in the application of alkali-activated binders (AAB) in engineering practices. It is produced by the reaction between an aluminosilicate precursor (primarily Class F fly ash and/or slag) and alkali activator solution. AAB-treated jute geotextile shows that the load-bearing capacity increases by 27% approximately. The vertical permeability of sand does not vary significantly with the inclusion of AAB-treated jute. The tensile strength of jute also exhibits a marked improvement following the treatment. Thus, the technique proposed in this study has the potential for implementation in practical applications.

Keywords:

• Jute geotextile
• alkali-activated binder
• shear strength
• bearing capacity
• sustainability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Shashank Gupta is a UG Student in the Department of Civil Engineering, BITS-Pilani Hyderabad Campus. His research interests are ground improvement with natural fibers and artificial intelligence.

Anasua GuhaRay is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, BITS-Pilani Hyderabad Campus. Her research interests are utilisation of waste materials for ground improvement, ground improvement with natural fibers, reliability application in geotechnical engineering, sensitivity analysis, earth retaining structures and dynamic behaviour of soil.

Arkamitra Kar is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, BITS-Pilani Hyderabad Campus. Her research interests are development of concrete with alkali-activated aluminosilicates, hydration chemistry of cementitious systems, lifecycle assessment of concrete with alkali-activated binder, bacterial inclusions in concrete, durability of concrete with alkali-activated binders.

V.P. Komaravolu is a UG student in the Department of Civil Engineering, BITS-Pilani Hyderabad Campus. His research interest is ground improvement with natural fibers.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Sophisticated Analytical Instruments Facility (SAIF) at IIT Bombay for their immense assistance in generating the images and spectra.