Statistical analyses for tensile properties of nonwoven geotextiles at different ambient environmental temperatures

Abstract

Geotextiles primarily provide reinforcement, and their tensile properties can resist stresses and prevent soil structure deformation. Nonwoven geotextiles are also commonly used in railways, roads, soil and water conservation, and therefore their applications are subjected to climatic environments and geographical environments where the geotextiles are used. Therefore, this study recycles and reclaims Kevlar selvages that are then incorporated with polyester fibers and low-melting-point polyester fibers in order to form nonwoven geotextiles. The tensile properties of the geotextiles in relation to various ambient environmental temperatures are examined with the test temperatures being set as 25℃ (control group), 50, 60, 70, and 80℃. Statistical analyses are performed to examine the effects of fiber blending ratios, needle punching depth, and thermal treatments on the tensile properties of the nonwoven geotextiles. The test results indicate that nonthermally treated nonwoven geotextiles have a tensile strength that is significantly increased when the ambient temperature is increased. In contrast, according to the insignificant differences obtained from statistical analyses, the tensile strength of thermally treated samples is independent of the ambient temperatures, indicating that thermal treatment allows for heat setting of the geotextiles. In particular, the thermally treated polyester/low-melting-point polyester/Kevlar nonwoven geotextiles have the maximum tensile strength when they are composed of a blending ratio of 60/20/20 wt% and a needle punching depth of 0.5 cm.