International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)

Volume 7, Issue 3, MayJune 2016, pp. 200210, Article ID: IJCIET_07_03_020

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ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
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A CRITICAL REVIEW ON APPLICATIONS

OF NATURAL JUTE FIBRES A CASE
STUDY
Dr. T. Kiran Kumar
Associate Professor, Civil Engineering, K.S.R.M College, Andhrapradesh, India
B. Jagan
K.S.R.M College, Andhrapradesh, India
ABSTRACT
Soil reinforcement technique is one of the most popular techniques used
for improvement of poor soils. Metal strips, synthetic geotextiles, geogrid
sheets, natural geotextiles, randomly distributed, synthetic and natural fibres
are being used as reinforcing materials to soil. Further, the soil reinforcement
causes significant improvement in tensile strength, shear strength, other
properties, bearing capacity as well as economy. Use of natural fibre in civil
engineering for improving soil properties is advantageous because they are
cheap, locally available, biodegradable and environmental friendly. India has
large tracks resting on expansive soil covering an area of 0.8million square
meters which is about 20% of total area of India .These expansive soils
undergo causes volumetric changes with change in moisture contents, swelling
and shrinkage of these soil causes severe damage to the foundations,
buildings, roads, retaining structures etc.In this project an attempt is made to
study the influence of jute fibre reinforcement on cbr properties of expansive
soil with increasing percentages 1%, 2% &3%.
Tests result indicates that CBR properties of soil increases with the
increase in fibre content. It was also observed that increasing the percentage
of fibre further increases the CBR value of reinforced soil and this increase is
substantial at fibre content of about 3%. This significant increase in CBR
values of soil reinforced with Jute fibre can be used to substantially indicating
significant improvement in the engineering behavior.
Key words: Jute Geotextiles, Index Properties, CBR Value, Clay Soil
Cite this Article: Dr. T. Kiran Kumar and B. Jagan, A Critical Review on
Applications of Natural Jute Fibres A Case Study, International Journal of
Civil Engineering and Technology, 7(3), 2016, pp. 200210.
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A Critical Review on Applications of Natural Jute Fibres A Case Study

INTRODUCTION
NEED FOR USE OF NATURAL FIBRES
The expansive soils having property of swelling and expansiveness with influence of
variance moisture in soil. It also shows shrinkage behavior when dried. To achieve the
economy and for proper performance of road, it is necessary to improve the soil by
adding jute fibre
The study of the contribution of jute geo-textile on the properties of clayey soils
and its feasibility for various civil engineering applications is evaluated. In order to
improve the performance of roads on such soils jute geotextile has scope as
reinforcement. It is expected that with the inclusion of jute geotextile layer below
Granular Subbase (GSB) layer would be helpful in restricting the movement of upper
pavement layers due to seasonal moisture variation in subgrade expansive, shrinkable
soil. Soil reinforcement is defined as a technique to improve the engineering
characteristics of soil. In this way, using natural fibres to reinforce soil is an old and
ancient idea. Consequently, randomly distributed fibre reinforced soils have recently
attracted increasing attention in geotechnical engineering The main aim of this paper,
therefore, is to review the history, benefits, applications; and possible executive
problems of using different types of natural fibres in soil reinforcement.
For the development of any country, a satisfactory mode of transport and
communication is indispensable. This can be achieved through a transportation
system, which is economically viable. Economy in road network can be achieved
through economical pavement design. Quality of subgrade available is the input
parameter in pavement design. Practically it is not possible to have good subgrade
always. Poor subgrade necessitates a greater pavement thickness resulting in
increased construction cost. With the aim of reducing pavement thickness on poor
subgrade new techniques of construction and soil stabilization have been continuously
explored. Poor natural soils make them practically unsuitable for many civil
engineering construction activities including road pavements. In such cases natural
soils are being treated with different kinds of materials to improve their engineering
properties. The techniques of improving the engineering properties of soil are called
soil stabilization, which has been quite successfully used in many engineering
problems. In the present study jute fibre is used to improve the engineering properties
of the subgrade, so that required pavement thickness may be reduced for particular
traffic intensity. Jute fibres of different diameters and lengths were mixed in the
subgrade in different percentage and the improvements in the subgrade are studied in
terms of California Bearing Ratio (CBR).

NATURAL GEOTEXTILES
Natural fibres are extracted from plants and are then converted into yarns by spinning.
These fabrics are sometimes treated with rot resistance materials or reinforced with
synthetic fibres to enhance their durability under different soil conditions without
affecting its strength and other properties. Natural fibres such as jute, coconut and coir
bricks are used to improve soilstrength, soilerosion control and drainage applications.

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Dr.T.Kiran Kumar and B.Jagan

JUTE FIBRE
Jute geo textile abbreviated as JGT has come out as the best as well as strong
alternative to synthetic geo textiles. Jute geotextile fabric is widely used for varied
civil engineering applications like separation, drainage and filtration over synthetic
one. Jute geo textile is available with inherent advantage of being designed from
natural fibre that is completely biodegradable. Jute is an organic fibre that brings eco
friendly nature to the textile. A user can easily discard them by decomposing them
without any pollution.
Today, jute geo textile fabric is available in two different varieties, one is woven
and other is non-woven fabric. Both the varieties are reckoned for high moisture
absorption capacity. Their flexibility and excellent drainage properties are the reason
behind their usage in agricultural sector to conserve soil erosion. Their long life span
makes them perfect to be used in those sectors that required long-term applications.
Due to their high durability and long life performance, they are in huge demand to be
used as separator, vegetation growing mesh, vertical drains, etc.
Development of this completely natural and strong Jute geo textile is likely to
enable it to be widely accepted in the varied soil reinforcement applications that may
include the construction of rural roads, access roads, and road and flood
embankments. Their superior drape ability, jute geo textile has come up as the ideal
solution for accomplishing varied tasks. Widely accepted for greater moisture
retention capacity, they have given a competitive edge to the geo textiles of other
fabric. Easy to install and remove, they are on the top whenever it comes to quality,
durability, sturdiness and strong nature. They can be availed in various sizes and
dimensions to match the requirement of every task. Jute geotextile is available in the
market at very lowest prices than the synthetic geo textiles.

JUTE GEOTEXTILE (JGT)

Jute GeoTextile is a permeable textile fabric available in woven, non-woven and open
weave forms used in or on soil to improve its engineering performance. Woven JGT
performs the functions of separation, filtration, initial re-enforcement and drainage
when used in the interface of road sub-grade and sub-base, thereby helps soil
consolidation and increases the CBR%. Woven JGT overlain with non woven JGT
when applied on the surface of weak formation arrest scope of infringement of

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A Critical Review on Applications of Natural Jute Fibres A Case Study

ballasts into the soil bellow and also allow passage of precipitation along the plane of
the fabric thereby keeps the soil dry and tight and ultimately check the possibility of
settlement of railway tracks. Properly designed woven JGT with appropriate
porometry treated with suitable additives is used as filter material in river bank
protection.

OBJECTIVES

To study the characteristics of existing soils in the area.

To determine strength of the soil sample with jute fibre and without jute fibre
of normal soil.
The main objective of our study is to evaluate the effect of jute fibre inclusions
on CBR PARAMETERS of clay soil.
In the present work locally available sub-grade Red clay soil of the road is
modified by addition of natural fibre material in different percentages 1%, 2%
& 3% respectively.
Natural Jute fibres of different diameters and lengths were mixed in the
subgrade in different percentages.
Similarly jute fibre is been used for improvement in properties of soft murrum
soil has also been studied.
In order to achieve the objectives a detailed laboratory test were conducted on
normal soil sample and fibre reinforced clay. The test result are tabulated and
compared

LITERATURE REVIEW
Barnali Ghosh, Dr V Ramesh, Rajarajeswari B Vibhuti (2014)
Analysis and comparison of properties of two different clayey soils is carried out with
and without reinforcement. Jute geo-textile (grade TD-5) was used as reinforcing
material to stabilize both peat and black cotton soil. Almost all the standard laboratory
tests as well as field tests were conducted. Finally study of the contribution of jute
geo-textile on the properties of clayey soils and its feasibility for various civil
engineering applications is evaluated. The results show the increment of soil
properties like shear strength, dry density and CBR(California Bearing ratio) while
permeability and settlement .decreased on introduction of jute geo-textile, indicating
significant improvement in the engineering behavior.

T. Sanyal P. K. Choudhury D. N. Goswami (2006)

Has studied the Growth of appropriate vegetation on exposed soil surface is facilitated
by use of natural geotextiles such as Jute Geotextiles (JGT). Properly designed JGT
laid on slopes or any other exposed soil surface provides a cover over exposed soil
lessening the probability of soil detachment and at the same time reduces the velocity
of surface run-off, the main agent of soil dissociation. Appropriately designed Jute
GeoTextiles lay on the shoulder and along the slope helped retain the soilparticles and
prevented detachment of soil particles from the prepared slope. Establishment of
vegetation ensured stabilization of the soil on the slope surface. Jute Geotextiles, a
bio-degradable natural geotextile, can conveniently be used for controlling surface
soil erosion and help growth of vegetation as a bio-engineering measure. JGT after

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Dr.T.Kiran Kumar and B.Jagan

biodegradation coalesces with the soil and adds nutrient to it and fosters growth of
vegetation.

Praveen Aggarwal, Bajinder Sharma, vol (1), (April 2011)

With the aim of reducing pavement thickness on poor subgrade new techniques of
construction and soil stabilization have been continuously explored. Poor natural soils
make them practically unsuitable for many civil engineering construction activities
including road pavements. In such cases natural soils are being treated with different
kinds of materials to improve their engineering properties. The techniques of
improving the engineering properties of soil are called soil stabilization, which has
been quite successfully used in many engineering problems. In the present study jute
fibre is used to improved engineering properties of the subgrade,

D. S. Tolia, O. P. Yadav, Kanwar Singh.(march2003)

Over the last decade, the use of geotextiles of all types has recorded a tremendous
increase; Geotextiles are being increasingly employed in various Civil Engineering
activities andespecially Geotechnical and Highway Engineering to facilitate
construction, ensure better performance of the structure and reduce maintenance. In
view of this wide spread interest, the Central Road Research Institute has taken up a
project for the development and promotion of jute based geotextiles for Highway
Engineering applications. Accordingly, a number of field trials have been carried out
using jute based geotextiles for various applications such as filtration, separation,
drainage and reinforcement.

Ramaswamy & Aziz 1989

Percentage elongation at break of JGT is significantly lower than that of synthetic
geotextiles (maximum 15% against more than 50 % of SGT). Substantial reduction
(more than 50%) in rut depth under dynamic load tests with JGT.

H. P. SINGH, (October 2012)

Soil reinforcement technique is one of the most popular techniques used for
improvement of poor soils. Metal strips, synthetic geotextiles, geogrid sheets, natural
geotextiles, randomly distributed, synthetic and natural fibres are being used as
reinforcing materials to soil. Further, the soil reinforcement causes significant
improvement in tensile strength, shear strength, other properties, bearing capacity as
well as economy.

STUDY AREA
The study area of soil is taken from the portions of highway road near Chennur road
in Kadapa District.The soil is collected from that area. By-Pass is constructed with its
road consisting silty-clay soil. Height of embankment in some stretches of road ranges
from 10 m to 12 m. Embankment fills are finished in 1:2 slopes. As the embankment
heights are appreciably high the denuded slopes were subjected to rain splash erosion
with formation of rain-cuts and gullies due to surface run-off. Soil samples were
collected from two sites of road.

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A Critical Review on Applications of Natural Jute Fibres A Case Study

Physical Condition of Road

So much of damage is there in national highway by moving vehicles with heavy
loads, so we have to increase the strength of the soil by adding jute geotextile and in
also embankments we use jute fibre sheets to avoid erosion control.

Chennur Highway Road for Roads

Silt & clay = 80% to 85%
Sand = 10% to 15%
d50 of soil = 0.033 mm
Liquid Limit = 33%
Plastic Limit = 20%
Plastic Index = 13%
Angle of internal friction of soil = 29

METHODOLOGY
Tests on Soil Sample
Sieve Analysis
This is the name given to the operation of dividing a sample of aggregate in to various
fractions each consisting of particles of the same size.The sieve analysis is conducted
to determine the particle size distribution in a sample of aggregate, which we call
gradation.

Plastic Limit
Plastic limit is the water content corresponding to an arbitrary limit between the
plastic and semisolid states of consistency of a soil. It is the minimum water content at
which the soil will just begin to crumble when rolled in to a thread approximately
3mm in diameter.

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Dr.T.Kiran Kumar and B.Jagan

Liquid Limit
Liquid limit is the minimum water content corresponding to arbitrary limit between
liquid and plastic states of consistency of a soil. It is the minimum water content at
which the soil is still in the liquid state but has a small shearing strength against
flowing, which can be measured by standard available means.

STANDARD PROCTOR TEST

The standard proctor test is carried out by taking 3kgs of air dried soil sample passing
through 4.75 mm IS sieve and thoroughly mixing with suitable amount of water. Then
the moist sample is placed in three layers of approximately equal thickness in a mould
attached with extension collar and each layer is given 25 blows by rammer of 2.6kg
dropped from a height of 310mm above the soil.

CBR Test for Normal Soil Sample

CBR test is used to determine the strength of soil

The amount of soil is taken is 6 kgs with water content percentage
Give 56 blows using tampering rod at 3 parts, and in middle of 1 part tampering we
place the jute fibre and tampering the soil at a height of 31 cm

CBR Test for Soil Sample by Using Jute Fibre

The procedure is same as normal soil sample. In that sample the percentage of jute
fibre is mixing with normal soil sample.
The jute fibre is cut by small pieces, which the shape of the jute is cut by a cbr mould
round shape we have to cut the fibre
The amount of fibre is taken at soil sample of 6 kgs .we have to take 60 gms of jute
fibre is taken.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Sieve Analysi
GRAPH 1:

120

% passing through

100
80
60
40
20
0

Aperture size (mm)

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A Critical Review on Applications of Natural Jute Fibres A Case Study

Results

Effective size of the particle D10 = 0.68 mm

Uniformity coefficient
Cu = 2.21 mm
Coefficient of curvature
Cc = 1.66 mm
For a gravel to be classified as well graded, the following must be met:

Cu > 4 for well graded soil, so Cu=2.21 < 4 ,it is poorly graded soil

Liquid Limit
Results:

Liquid limit of the soil (LL)

= 31%

PLASTIC LIMIT
Results:

Plastic limit of the soil (PL)

= 14.8%
Plasticity index of the soil (PI) = 16.2%

STANDARD PROCTOR TEST

GRAPH 2
1.7

Dry density

1.65

1.6

1.55

1.5

1.45
0

10

15

20

25

Moisture content

Results:

Optimum moisture content (omc) =15.38 %

Maximum dry density
(mdd) =1.68 g/cc
A. CBR TEST FOR NORMAL SOIL SAMPLE:
CBR test is used to determine the strength of soil
B. Results:
1. CBR value of soil at 2.50 mm penetration = 14.74 %
2. CBR value of soil at 5.00 mm penetration = 15.18 %
3. CBR value of given soil = 15.18 %

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Dr.T.Kiran Kumar and B.Jagan

C. CBR TEST FOR SOIL SAMPLE BY US ING JUTE FIBRE

D. 1) CBR VALUE BY MIXING WITH JUTE FIBRE IN SOIL AT 1 %:

CBR value for jute fibre at 2.5 mm penetration is=15.28%

CBR value for jute fibre at 5.0 mm penetration is=15.93%
2) CBR VALUE BY MIXING WITH JUTE FIBRE IN SOIL AT 2 %

CBR value for Jute Fibre at 2.5 mm penetration is=16.39%

CBR Value for Jute Fibre at 5.0 mm penetration is=16.93%
3) CBR VALUE BY MIXING WITH JUTE FIBRE IN SOIL AT 3 %

GRAPH 3
450
400
350

Load(kg)

300
250

200
150
100
50
0
0

for normal soil

Penetration(mm)
soil by using jute fibre

RESULTS

CBR value of soil by mixing with jute fibre at 2.50 mm penetration = 17.07 %

CBR value of soil by mixing with jute fibre at 5.0 mm penetration = 18.09%
CBR value of soil by mixing with jute fibre =18.09%

DISCUSSIONS
Results of jute fibre reinforced soil are compared with that of plain soil sample in two
groups as:
1). Effect of the jute reinforcement on the maximum dry density and optimum
moisture content.
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A Critical Review on Applications of Natural Jute Fibres A Case Study

Optimum moisture content (omc) =15.38 %

Maximum dry density
(mdd) =1.68 g/cc

2) .Effect of the jute reinforcement on California bearing ratio

CBR value of soil by mixing with out jute fibre = 15.18%
CBR value of soil by mixing with jute fibre = 18.09 %

CONCLUSION

From the above discussion it can be concluded that the CBR value of given soil
increases by mixing with natural jute fibre from 15.18% to 18.09%.
Jute fibre reinforcement reduces the maximum dry density and increases the optimum
moisture content of the subgrade soil. The CBR value of the subgrade soil increases
with the inclusion of jute fibre at 3% of fiber content. further adding of fibre
percentage will decrease the cbr value.
Appropriately designed JGT laid on the shoulder and along the slope helped retain the
soil particles and prevented detachment of soil particles from the prepared slope.
Establishment of vegetation ensured stabilization of the soil on the slope surface.
JGT, a bio-degradable natural geotextile, can conveniently be used for controlling
surface soil erosion and help growth of vegetation as a bio-engineering measure. JGT
after biodegradation coalesces with the soil and adds nutrient to it and fosters growth
of vegetation.
Overall it can be concluded that jute fibre reinforced soil can be considered to be good
Ground improvement technique Specially in engineering projects on weak soils.
Jute fibre reinforcement increases the sub-grade strength of the soil and thus reduces
the thickness of pavement. Jute fibre is a good reinforcing material which is bio
degradable.
Jute fibre can be considered as a good reinforcement material.

REFERENCES
[1]

Aggarwal P, Sharma B, 2010. Application of jute Fibre in the improvement of

subgrade characteristics. In: Proc of intconf on advances in civil engineering,
Trabzon, Turkey.

[2]

Aziz, M.A. And Ramaswamy, S.D., 1984. Studies on Jute Fabric Upon Coir Grid
Matting For Subgrade Strengthening, Henin International Journal of Scientific
Engineering and Technology (ISSN : 22771581) Vol. 3 (7), pp : 880884

[3]

Chandra S., Viladkar, M.N. and Nagrrale P.P. 2008. Mechanistic Apporoach for
fibre reinforced flexible pavements, Journals of Transportation Engineering,
Volume, 134, 1523.

[4]

Dhariwal, A., 2003. Performance studies on California bearing ratio values of fly
ash reinforced with jute and non woven geofibres. National seminar on advances
in construction materials, pp 4551.

[5]

Ghavami K, Filho R, Barbosa P, 1999. Behaviour of composite soil reinforced

with natural fibres. Cement Concrete Compos, 21, pp 3948.

[6]

IS: 2720, Part XVI, 1965. Laboratory determination of moisture content density
relation using light compaction Bureau of Indian Standards; New Delhi.

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Dr.T.Kiran Kumar and B.Jagan

[7]

IS: 2720 Part-V-1985 Determination of Liquid limit and Determination of

Plastic limit.

[8]

Ravishankar. R, Dr. K. Chandrashekara and Rudramurthy, Experimental

Investigation and Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Injection Molded Jute and
Glass Fibers Reinforced Hybrid Polypropylene Composites, International
Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 4(4), 2013, pp. 197206.

[9]

Aleya Fardausy , Md. Alamgir Kabir , Humayun Kabir , M. Mahbubur Rahman ,

Khadiza Begam , Farid Ahmed , Md. Abul Hossain , Md. Abdul Gafur, Study of
Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Unidirectional Jute Fiber
Reinforced PVC Film Composites International Journal of Mechanical
Engineering and Technology, 3(2), 2012, pp. 267274.

[10]

IS: 2720 Part III, Section 11980 Determination of Specific gravity of soil. IS:
2720 Part X (1973), Determination of Unconfined compression strength ISI
New Delhi, 1973.

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