Durability of transesterified jute geotextiles

Abstract

A process for transesterifying jute fibers or textiles using reagents largely derived from natural sources has been developed for enhancing the long-term tensile strength and water repellence of fiber or textile samples. Geotextiles woven from treated jute fibers (JG1) and geotextiles treated at the fabric level (JG2) using the process developed in this study were found to retain 50% of their initial tensile strengths after remaining immersed in aqueous solutions with pH between 4 and 9 for 120 days. Correspondingly untreated jute geotextiles (JGU) retained only 15% of its initial tensile strength. Upon being immersed in 3% NaCl solution for 120 days, JG1 retained 82% of its initial tensile strength, while JG2 and JGU retained 64% and 17%, respectively. JG1 samples are estimated to loose 50% of their initial tensile strength after 1115 and 1584 days, respectively, because of UV and moisture related weathering and biodegradation in tropical outdoor environments. The corresponding estimates for JG2 were 881 and 1080 days, respectively. These estimates were about 3–5 times higher than those for JGU. Additionally, degradation of treated fiber or fabric did not produce toxic or hazardous leachate. These enhancements may make jute geotextiles useful in earthworks requiring temporary reinforcement before insitu processes, e.g., vegetation growth, filter cake formation, and development of weak cementation due to biogenic and other processes strengthen the soil obviating further need for reinforcements.