Study on comparative performance of different pavement models incorporated with newly developed jute geotextiles under static loading

Abstract

This research paper describes a laboratory-based unpaved pavement model study incorporating new types of jute geotextiles (JGTs) intended for low-volume roads under static loading. Tests on the pavement models were carried out to evaluate the performance of four types of JGTs, viz. (1) grey (untreated) JGT, (2) rot-proof treated JGT (using reasonably eco-friendly chemicals) and (3) two types of jute-polypropylene (PP) blended geotextiles laid in between a modelled Wet Mix Macadam layer and a suitably compacted subgrade layer. Three types of subgrade soils were used from different geo-climatic regions of the Indian subcontinent including Black Cotton soil. Model tank preparation was done by judiciously selecting some combinations of JGT and subgrade soil based on the outcome of a fundamental study on biodegradability behaviour of these JGTs in the experimental saturated soils. Model tanks were water-treated for different durations up to six months to keep the subgrade soil and the JGT 100% saturated uninterruptedly before testing to study the effect of time-dependent biodegradability behaviour of the pavement models with and without JGT both. Experimental results clearly indicate that there is a substantial improvement in stress-strain behaviour of the pavement models due to incorporation of any type of the experimental JGTs over control models. The time-dependent model study reveals improvement in stress-strain behaviour of the system in spite of degradation of the JGTs, and jute-PP blended JGT is most effective in improving the pavement models. This indicates that consolidation of subgrade has occurred within a period of 3-6 months.