1. A NATIONAL JUTE BOARD PRESENTATION
Road Construction
with Jute Geotextiles (JGT)
A NATIONAL JUTE BOARD PRESENTATION
Presenter-T Sanyal
Chief Consultant, National Jute Board

2. What are Geotextiles?
Geotextiles- more aptly Geosynthetics –belong to the class of Technical Textiles under GEOTECH category.
Geotextiles are generically of two varieties—one variety is made of synthetic polymers (petrochemical derivatives) and the other of natural fibres (such as jute, coir)
Geotextiles are intended to improve engineering performance of soil on or in which it is laid

3. Jute Geotextiles
Jute Geotextiles (JGT)-as the name suggests –is made of bast fibres of jute plants—a renewable agri-resource under cultivation in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta for centuries. Presently under cultivation in other areas/countries as well
The British were the first to discover the potential of jute fibre for flexible packaging (sacks) after elaborate tests
The features of jute fibre conform to technical requirements of geotextiles, besides its added advantage of being eco-concordant, abundant availability, the back-up R & D support and industry-expertise to make customized JGT
Use of JGT helps reduce carbon foot-print in road construction

4. USP OF JUTE High moisture absorbing capacity
Excellent drapability (the best of all GTs)
High modulus
Low extension-at-break
High roughness co-efficient
Excellent spinnability
Bio-degradability with mulching & soil-nourishing properties
Annually renewable resource with abundant availability
Economical &
Eco-concordant

5. JGT - THE FORERUNNER OF MAN-MADE GT
Jute fabric was used in road construction long before the concept of geotextiles with man-made fibres emerged
Jute hessian was applied successfully on Strand Road at Kolkata as early as in 1934 and in Myanmar during the 2nd World War
First concerted effort to promote use of Jute Geotextiles took off in 1980s with the support of UNDP
Extensive R & D on JGT over the years have helped understand the mechanism of its functioning and develop improved varieties for its application in roads & other areas.

6. JGT – Basic Functions
JGT matches its man-made counterpart in the three basic functions of a geotextile viz Separation, Filtration, Drainage. Besides,
Along-plane drainage capability (i.e. transmissivity) of JGT is higher than its man-made counterpart.
Fineness of jute fibre enables manufacture of JGT according to the specified porometric features
High Roughness Co-efficient of jute ensures better load transference & confining action on soil
JGT has far greater water absorbency than all other GTs –a quality which enables sustained release of the absorbed water, thus creating a congenial micro-climate for better growth of vegetation

7. in Filter-cake formation in soil Role of JGT
IS AN OPTIMAL STATE OF SOIL CONSOLIDATION
TRIGGERING GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE STRESS WITHIN A SOIL MASS, THUS ENABLING IT TO BEAR GREATER LOAD.

8. Civil engineering Applications of JGT
Strengthening of road by improving CBR
Slope management
Protection of river bank against erosion
Stabilizing embankments
Prevention of railway track settlement
Consolidation of soft soil
Control of surface soil detachment

9. 1. JGT in Road Construction
Causes of failure of roads :
Inadequate pavement thickness
Higher-than-design traffic load & intensity
Low bearing capacity of sub grade
Intermixing of sub-base and sub grade
Insufficient drainage of surface and sub-surface water
Leading to “mud pumping”
Permeable wearing course
Besides the distress /failure of road pavement, stability of a road also depends on the stability of the embankment on which it is built and slope stability the causes of distress/failure of which are different.

10. Design parameters
Road pavements are usually designed on the basis of traffic load & its intensity or equivalent single axle load (ESAL), sub-grade CBR and allowable rut-depth
There are other design parameters followed in some of the overseas countries. USA, for instance, follows the concept of Structural Number.

11. -inducing membrane effect, exerting confining action on sub-grade,
JGT in Road Construction
How can JGT help?
Enhances the CBR of the sub-grade by
-inducing membrane effect, exerting confining action on sub-grade,
preventing soil migration & facilitating water-dissipation along &
across its plane (essentially ‘filtration’ function) leading to generation
of effective stress within sub-grade
-preventing intermixing of sub-grade and sub-base (“separation”
function)
-facilitating drainage in the sub-surface zone
In fact all GTs act as change agents to the soil by concurrent
functioning of separation, filtration & drainage at the formative phase

12. Membrane & confining effect of JGT

13. JGT in Road Construction
Rough Guidelines for designing a new road with JGT based on field trial results & lab. findings
CBR to be taken as 1.5 times the control value of CBR.
Woven JGT should be selected in conformity with the
average particle size distribution
Sub-surface drainage may be facilitated with suitable use of
non-woven JGT concurrently.
N.B Precise design guidelines are being finalised under an international project on JGT sponsored by the Common Fund for Commodities, a financial institution of the UN.

14. JGT in Road Construction
Note :
Choice of JGT also depends on the allowable rut depth which is a factor of the level of service expected of a road vis-à-vis the level of its maintenance
Porometry range: 150 to 400 microns depending on the average grain size of the sub-grade
Tensile strength: 25 kN/m is considered adequate for most of the roads [Recommended by the CFGG Manual (France) for SGT.]

15. JGT in Road Construction
Some Salient Findings of studies
Percentage elongation at break of JGT is significantly
lower than that of synthetic geotextiles (maximum 15%
against more than 50 % of SGT)
(Ramaswamy & Aziz – 1989)
Substantial reduction (more than 50%) in rut depth
under dynamic load tests with JGT
Loss of strength of JGT after a year is not a deterrent
as, by that time, JGT is seen to have helped in
providing a self sustaining sub-grade for most type of
soils (Ramaswamy & Aziz – 1989)
The gain in strength of the sub-grade with time is
compensated against the loss of strength of JGT
within the same time frame (ibid & JU 2005)

18. Effect of Jute Fabric on Compaction Characteristics of Subgrade Soil

19. Studies by Ramaswamy & Aziz (1989) on Clayey Subgrade
Table - I 22 42 10 30 8 26
c) Strain at failure (%)
i) without JGT
ii) with JGT 36 65 45
115
110
330
b) Undefined Compressive Strength (kN/m2) 35 25
a) Water Content (%)
Table - II
5.0 8 20
2.6
4.5
3.5
5.2
4.7
6.8
b) CBR (%)
i) without JGT
ii) with JGT 35 30 25
a) Water Content (%)

20. 2. Slope Management with JGT
Roads built on high embankments require preventive measures to control erosion of slope surface.
Slopes erode due to:
Detachment of top soil by K E of rain drops
Flow of rain water (surface run-off)
Severe wind
Surficial soil erosion can be controlled by reducing the velocity of surface run-off & entrapping detached soil particles.
Wind-induced soil erosion can be controlled by suitable JGT- cover

21. 2. Slope Management with JGT
Remedial Concept
Universal Hydrological Equation in its simplest form states
precipitation  surface flow + through flow ( sub-surface flow ) + storage
If through-flow and on-land storage can be increased, surface run-off gets reduced
Through-flow depends on hydraulic conductivity of the soil. Storage can be facilitated by creating micro-barriers on the slope. Such micro-barriers also curb the velocity of surface flow
JGT is the ideal material that fulfills the requirements, besides facilitating fast growth of vegetation on its bio-degradation as a result of its mulching properties and by increasing the hydraulic conductivity of soil

22. deposition of sediments material in suspension
Soil Erosion Process on a Slope
RAIN
- - -
- - XC
belt of no erosion
FLOW
active
erosion
deposition of sediments D a d b b’ e c’ c
material in suspension
overland flow

23. - - - - - - - - - Dam Storage ) L D β
Weft of open mesh JGT D
2.87 litres / sq.m. of water on a 1:2 slope can be impounded when an open weave JGT having 45 wefts in a metre, and dia of 4mm in weft with an overall weight of 500 gsm. JGT is laid

24. Installation of JGT on slope
Direction
of laying
Jute Geotextile
Fixing nail
Graded slope
Grass plant
Toe anchor
(150 mm x 150mm)
150
Shoulder anchor
150 mm
50 mm
(II Gauge wire) +

25. 3. Stability of Embankments
Embankment is an essential component of a road.
Almost all roads are built on embankments.
Expansive or compressive soils used as fills in
embankments may lead to:
Vertical settlement
Lateral dispersion
Downslope migration
Rotational slides (slip circle failure)

26. Stability of Embankments
JGT
absorbs stress and strain induced due to moving loads on embankments
high soil - JGT interfacial friction acts as a good medium of transference of the induced stress and strain
can directly reinforce the soil mass in an embankment during its useful lifespan
Soil is otherwise stabilized due to separation, filtration and drainage effects acting concurrently

27. Basal Reinforcement with JGT for any new embankment is effective
JGT can also be used in successive layers of an embankment and may be folded at the fringes asside restraint for protection against rotational slide
In new embankments woven JGT may be used as basal reinforcement to avert settlement
PRECAUTION
Prevent ingress of water into an embankment
Drain out entrapped water from an embankment for which installation of JGT- encapsulated concealed drains and, in more severe cases, prefabricated vertical jute drains (PVJD) deserves consideration.

28. Durability of JGT As already indicated
Loss of strength of JGT after a year is NOT a deterrent – for, by that time, JGT provides a self-sustaining sub-grade for most soils
The gain in strength of the sub-grade compensates the loss of strength of JGT within the same time frame
With the passage of time dependence on JGT for soil stability continues to decrease
However there is need to ensure JGT-durability ranging from 2 to 4 years (depending on the application-type) by special treatment. Eco-friendly durability treatments have been developed by IIT, KgP & IJIRA

29. Is Bio-degradability of JGT a Technical Disadvantage?
The answer is NO. Optimal consolidation
(development of effective stress) is seen to take place
within the effective life of JGT
N.B. Effective life of JGT may be enhanced by specially
developed eco-friendly water-repellent treatment (developed by IIT Kgp & IJIRA
Necessity of JGT or, for that matter, of any GT ceases after
filter-cake formation.
Bio-degradability of JGT is thus not a technical disadvantage. Additionally JGT lends environmental advantage to road construction

30. ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
Jute fibres are eco-friendly, soil-friendly, biodegradable, annually renewable resource
Following points are relevant in context of eco-concordance and socio-economic value of jute
During 100 days of jute growing period, 1 hectare of jute plant can absorb about 15 MT of CO2 from atmosphere and liberate about 11 MT of O2. Studies reveal that CO2 assimilation rate of jute is higher than trees (Inagaki, 2000; IJSG 2003). In fact jute helps in carbon sequestration.

31. (contd.)
Main use of jute sticks (a retting output) is as fuel and household uses. Yield of jute sticks is 2.5times the fibre by weight. Jute sticks annually saves 5.06 million tons of forest wood(in India and Bangladesh) and help in preserving ecological balance.
Leaves left in the field are good manures and increase fertility of land. Increases hydraulic conductivity of soil

32. Field Experience with JGT
Experience in India & elsewhere with JGT in geotechnical engineering applications numbering more than 150 in India alone corroborates its effectiveness in road construction and erosion control of diverse nature
In road construction enhancement of CBR value is minim 1.5 times and in some cases the increase has been even 3-5 times after 4 years!
Soil continues to consolidate even after bio-degradation of JGT. In fact JGT triggers the process of consolidation thru’ development of effective stress. The process continues for a protracted period.

33. SOME PROPERTIES OF WOVEN JGT
Some salient properties of woven JGT
SOME PROPERTIES OF WOVEN JGT
VALUE
Tensile Strength
15 to 40 kN/m
Elongation-at-break
8% to 12%
Puncture resistance
400 to 600 N
Burst strength
3000 to 4000 kPa
Permittivity with 50 mm water head
≈350 x 10-5 per sec
Transmissivity
-on 724 gsm (25 kN/m) at kPa
-on 627 gsm (20 kN/m) at kPa
4.37 x 10-7 m 3 /m-s
3.64 x 10-7 m3 /m-s
AOS (O95)
100 µ upwards
JGT has a high initial tangent modulus (comparable
JGT offers a greater interfacial friction than SGT
JGT has greater transmissivity than SGT
Permittivity of JGT is comparable to that of SGT

34. Advantages Of JGT – in summary
Economical
Easily available
Can be tailor made to meet the criteria of retention and permeability.
Precise control on quality and workmanship possible.
Quicker execution time.
Better drapability than any other geo-textile.
Provides a sustainable and eco-compatible solution.
Conducive natural protection against erosion through quick growth of vegetation cover.

35. Newly developed products
Several new products have been developed recently based on Jute for highway applications
JGT in asphaltic overlay for prevention of reflection cracks. (developed by IIT Delhi)—not tried
Paving fabric for wearing course as alternative to mastic asphalt
(developed by IJT & CRRI (under the JTM sponsored by MoT with
NJB as the collaborating/facilitating organization) -under field trial
Development of durable & water-repellent JGT (recently developed by IIT, KgP under the JTM) -under field trial
‘Jutecrete’-Jute-fibre reinforced concrete (developed by IIT, KgP)
under the JTM sponsored project by MoT with NJB as the
collaborating/facilitating organization) -under field trial
Pre-fabricated vertical jute drain (PVJD) developed by IIT Delhi &
Singapore Sate University (Prof R D Ramaswamy)-already tried

36. Standards/Normative References
IS 14986:2001—
-Guidelines for application of Jute Geo-textiles for rain water
erosion control in road & railway embankment and hill slope
-2 BIS guidelines on rural road constn & river bank protection
with JGT have recently been approved- under print
RDSO, Ministry of Railways & Rly Board–
-Specs for Open weave JGT in slope protection
-Guideline no GE:G1 (July 2003)—
-Guidelines for earthwork in railway projects
-Included as an item in the unified SoR of Railways 2011
Indian Roads Congress—
-State-of-the-art report on use of jute Geotextiles in Road
Constn & Prevention of Soil Erosion/Landslides (2012)
-Specifications for road & bridge works (2001) &
-Recommended practice for treatment of
embankment slope & erosion control (1991)
I & W Deptt & PW(Roads) of GoWB have included JGT items in
their SoRs

37. Illustrative Case Studies
Case Studies in road & slope erosion control

38. Some Case Studies in Road with JGT
Re-construction of damaged highway on soft marine soil using JGT at Kakinada Port – Andhra Pradesh
2. Strengthening of UT Road - Jorabari with JGT(Assam)
Strengthening of Chatumary - MDR14 road with JGT (Odisha)
4. Widening and strengthening of Munshirhat – Rajpur Road with JGT (West Bengal).
5. Strengthening of Andulia – Boyratola Road with JGT (West Bengal)

39. Re-construction of damaged highway on soft marine soil using JGT at Kakinada Port – Andhra Pradesh

40. Condition of Damaged Road Leveling of the damaged road with earth
LOCATION :Kakinada Port Area, Andhra Pradesh
SITE CONDITION:
The subsoil is soft clay up to 4m depth and water table is about 0.5m below G.L.
SOLUTION:
Woven JGT was used to re-build & strengthen the damaged carriageway on the existing soft soil
CLIENT NAME:
CRRI and Kakinada Municipality
YEAR OF APPLICATION: 1996
Condition of Damaged Road
Leveling of the damaged road with earth

41. Finished road after 7 years of construction
PAVEMENT COMPOSITION
JGT on prepared sub-grade overlain by compacted sand of 1.2 m as sub-base & 10 cm thick compacted gravel as base. 1m deep side drains on either side
PROPERTIES OF SUBGRADE SOIL:
Plasticity Index:
Soil type: CH
PROPERTIES OF JUTE GEOTEXTILE USED:
Weight : gsm
Tensile Strength : kN/m
Pore Size (O90) : micron
Type of JGT : Woven (Rot-proof)
Laying of JGT over sand
Finished road after 7 years of construction

42. CBR VALUES OF SUB-GRADE SOIL BEFORE AND AFTER LAYING OF JGT
Natural soil (before laying JGT)
CBR %
Improved soil (after laying JGT)*
Un-soaked specimen
Soaked specimen
2.10
1.61
6.03
4.78
* Test was performed after 30 months of laying JGT

43. FINDING:
Jute Geotextile helped increase of CBR% in weak marine soil even after reduction in the strength of JGT after a lapse of 7 years as reflected from the performance and increase in CBR.

44. Strengthening of UT Road - Jorabari (Assam) with JGT

45. Pavement composition LOCATION :
The road (UT Road to Jorabari) is located at Udalguri in Darrang district, Assam
SITE CONDITIONS:
This was an earthen road under PMGSY Pilot project. Flash flooding of the area occurs occasionally. Deep ruts had formed at some locations. Average annual rainfall is 1600 – 1700 mm. The water table is 3 to 4 m below G.L during summer and 1.5 to 2 m during monsoon.
SOLUTION:
Jute Geotextile was used on sub-grade to strengthen the road.
ROAD LENGTH: Km
Before construction
Pavement composition
Woven JGT sandwiched bet. sand layers (100) & overlain by GSB (100), gravel (100) & WBM Gr III (75) with bituminous overlay

46. Chief Engineer PWD, Rural Road Works, Assam YEAR OF APPLICATION: 2007
CLIENT NAME:
Chief Engineer PWD, Rural Road Works, Assam
YEAR OF APPLICATION:
PROPERTIES OF SUBGRADE SOIL:
Liquid Limit: %
Plastic Limit: Non-plastic
CBR of soaked specimen: %
Soil type: ML
PROPERTIES OF JGT USED:
Weight : /760/810 gsm
Tensile Strength : 15/20/30 kN/m
Pore Size (O90) : – 200 micron
Type of JGT : Woven (Rot-proof)
Laying of Jute Geo-textile
Finished Road

47. CBR VALUES OF SUB-GRADE SOIL BEFORE AND AFTER LAYING OF JGT
Natural soil (before laying JGT)
CBR %
Improved soil (after laying JGT)*
Soaked specimen
4.00
14.30
*after 3 years

48. FINDING:
The CBR values increased by more than 3.5 times with decrease in moisture content.
The blacktop pavement surface was distress-free in all the sub-sections during the entire period of performance monitoring
Shoulders as well as side slope was in shape without any rain-cut or settlement with green grass over it.

49. Strengthening of Chatumary – MDR-14 road, Odisha with JGT

50. Pavement composition LOCATION :
The road (Chatumari to MDR 14) is located under Tehsil – Bari in Jajpur district, Odisha.
SITE CONDITIONS:
This was an earthen road under PMGSY Pilot project. Deep ruts had formed at some locations. Average annual rainfall is 1400 mm. The water table is at a depth of 1.5 to 3 m.
SOLUTION:
Jute Geotextile was used on sub-grade to add to stability of the road.
ROAD LENGTH: Km
Before construction
Pavement composition
Woven JGT sandwiched bet. sand layers (100) & overlain by GSB (100), gravel (100) & WBM Gr III (75) with bituminous overlay

51. Chief Engineer PWD, Rural Works – II Orissa YEAR OF APPLICATION: 2007
CLIENT NAME:
Chief Engineer PWD, Rural Works – II
Orissa
YEAR OF APPLICATION: 2007
PROPERTIES OF SUBGRADE SOIL:
Liquid Limit: %
Plastic Limit: Non-plastic
CBR of Soaked specimen: 3%
Soil type: ML
PROPERTIES OF JGT USED:
Weight : /760/810 gsm
Tensile Strength : 15/20/30 kN/m
Pore Size (O90) : – 200 micron
Type of JGT : Woven (Rot-proof)
Laying of Jute Geo-textile
Finished Road

52. CBR VALUES OF SUB-GRADE SOIL BEFORE AND AFTER LAYING OF JGT
Natural soil (before laying JGT)
CBR %
Improved soil (after laying JGT)*
Soaked specimen
3.00
10.13
*after 2 years

53. FINDING:
The CBR values increased more than 3 times with decrease in moisture content.
The blacktop pavement surface was distress-free in all the sub-sections during the entire period of performance monitoring
Shoulders as well as side slope condition was satisfactory with a green cover of grass

54. Widening and strengthening of Munshirhat – Rajpur Road (West Bengal) with JGT.

55. JGT laid over sub-grade Brick metal laid over JGT
LOCATION :
Munshirhat to Penro Khila Rajpur Road, Howrah, West Bengal.
SITE CONDITIONS:
It is a rural road which was to be widened to carry the increased traffic.
SOLUTION :
Jute Geotextile was laid on the extended portion
ROAD LENGTH: 2 Km
CLIENT:
Howrah Highway Division, PW (Roads) Deptt., Government of West Bengal
YEAR OF APPLICATION: 2000
JGT laid over sub-grade
Brick metal laid over JGT

56. Pavement composition PROPERTIES OF SUBGRADE SOIL: O.M.C : 19%
Plasticity Index : 19%
CBR of Soaked specimen : 3.5%
Soil type : OL
PROPERTIES OF JGT USED:
Weight : gsm
Tensile Strength : kN/m
Pore Size (O90) : micron
Type of JGT : Woven (Rot-proof)
Finished Road
Pavement composition
Woven JGT was placed on the sub-grade of the widened portion overlain by 2 layers of brick soling as sub-base and WBM (150) as base layer with bituminous top (20 cm PMC).

57. CBR VALUES OF SUB-GRADE SOIL BEFORE AND AFTER LAYING OF JGT
Natural soil (before laying JGT)
CBR %
Improved soil (after laying JGT)*
Soaked specimen
3.50
6.0
*after 1 year

58. FINDING:
The sub-grade was strengthened by application of JGT attaining CBR value of 6% from initial 3.5% with decrease in liquid and plastic limits. No distress of the road was noticed after several years despite increase in projected traffic load.

59. Strengthening of Andulia – Boyratola Road, West Bengal with JGT

60. LOCATION :
Andulia (Kalupukur More) to Boyratala in Haroa Block, District North 24-Paraganas, West Bengal.
SITE CONDITIONS:
Rural road under PMGSY on soft sub-grade resulting in reduction of effective pavement thickness due to interpenetration of sub-base and sub-grade.
SOLUTION:
Jute Geo-textile was used on the sub-grade and under the sub-base basically as a separator.
ROAD LENGTH: Km
Pavement composition
Woven JGT overlain by GSB (200)) & WBM II& III (150) with bituminous overlay (PMC)

61. North 24-Paraganas Zilla Parishad, West Bengal
CLIENT NAME:
North 24-Paraganas Zilla Parishad,
West Bengal
YEAR OF APPLICATION:
PROPERTIES OF SUBGRADE SOIL:
Optimum Moisture Content: %
Plasticity Index:
Soaked CBR at 2.5mm penetration: %
Soaked CBR at 5.0mm penetration: %
Soil type : OL
PROPERTIES OF JGT USED:
Weight : gsm
Tensile Strength : kN/m
Pore Size (O90) : micron
Type of JGT : Woven JGT
Finished Road

62. CBR VALUES OF SUB-GRADE SOIL BEFORE AND AFTER LAYING OF JGT
Natural soil (before laying JGT)
CBR %
Improved soil (after laying JGT)*
Soaked specimen
Un-soaked specimen
3.16
10.47
* Test was performed after 18 months of laying JGT

63. FINDING:
The study substantiates the proven concept that limited durability of JGT is not a technical deterrent as soil gets consolidated due to separation, filtration and drainage functioning concurrently with the help of JGT within a year or so. CBR value got enhanced to more than 3 times despite loss in strength of JGT in the instant case.

64. Some Photographs showing application of JGT for Stabilization of Slope of Road Embankment

65. NH-2, ALLAHABAD BYPASS, U.P.

66. NH-3, GUNA BYPASS, M.P.

67. BRIDGE APPROACH ON R. MUNDESHWARI, W.B.

68. HILL SLOPEGUWAHATI-SHILLONG ROAD AT SONAPUR
LAYING OF JUTE GEOTEXTILE AFTER DRESSING OF SLOPE
SLOPE COVERED WITH VEGETATION

69. NH 55—PAGLAJHORA IN NORTH OF W.B

70. Typical cross-section of a low volume road with JGT

71. Findings of the case studies
Water content, void ratio and compression index decreased while dry density and CBR value of the sub-grade soil increased by use of Jute Geotextile.
JGT appeared to be very effective even in weak sub-grade in reducing their compressibility and increasing their strength as reflected from the good performance even after a lapse of 10 years.
JGT is the most effective among geotextiles for surficial soil erosion control

72. MISSIVE
JGT is an effective technical facilitator in building stronger and more durable roads with the added advantage of lending eco-concordance by reducing carbon footbprint & ensuring overall economy .
Jute plays a significant role in national economy as a major FE earner & one of the largest employers of work-force in India
JGT JUSTIFIABLY DESERVES MORE PATRONAGE

73. THANK YOU