Biodegradability study to develop longer life jute geotextiles for road applications

To enhance the life of jute geotextiles (JGTs) for road applications, new types of JGT fabrics were developed following two different routes, viz., (a) rot-proof treatment of 100% JGT fabric and (b) preparation of jute–polypropylene blended JGT fabrics. The biodegradability behavior of these fabrics along with grey JGTs was studied for different durations up to 12 months in three categories of saturated soils, namely, Guwahati Lateritic Red soil, Kolkata Alluvial Silty soil and Andhra Pradesh Black Cotton soil and water separately. Biodegradability assessment was done through residual tensile strength study and microscopic study. The experimentation reveals that rate of biodegradation of the JGTs is different in the three experimental saturated soils and water. Saturated Black Cotton soil was found to be the most detrimental medium. Studies were also carried out to understand this differential degradation behavior of JGTs in different soils. This indicates that the pH of soil media and microbial population growing capability of the respective soils both affect the level of degradation of the JGT fabrics. Jute–synthetic blended JGT is essential for Black Cotton soil road-subgrade, while grey JGT and treated JGT can be used in Lateritic soil and Silty soil, respectively.by Mahuya Ghosh, Guda Rao Venkatappa, Syamal Kanti Chakrabarti, Supriya Pal and Uma Sankar Sarm