1. National Seminar on Jute Geo-textiles (CFC/IJSG/21) Project April 01, 2014 Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) Ministry of Textiles and Jute
Efficacy of Jute Geo-textiles as Sub-grade Reinforcement for Rural Road Construction in Bangladesh
Professor Dr. Abdul Jabbar Khan
Professor Dr. Abu Siddique
Professor Dr. Mohammad Shariful Islam
Asgar Hossain
Shamima Nasrin
Department of Civil Engineering
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
Dhaka, Bangladesh

2. Outline of Presentation
Introduction
Selection of Sites for JGT Applications
Physical and Mechanical Properties of JGT Used
Soil Conditions of the Selected Sites
Field Test Results During Monitoring Stage
Concluding Remarks

3. Introduction
Initially, possibility of using JGT in 14 rural road sites situated at various geographic locations with varying soil conditions was explored.
Among these six sites were finally selected for the application of JGT.
Different grades of JGT were tested in the laboratory.
Laboratory tests were conducted on soil samples collected from the selected sites.
After application of JGT, the performances of these road sections were evaluated by performing CBR test in the trial section at different periods.
Application of JGT has already been completed in the six sites while monitoring is being carried out in five sites at various time periods.

4. List of The Road Sites Visited and Selected for the Project
Organization
Location
Road/River bank/Hill slope Name
Selected/
Rejected
RHD
Keraniganj, Dhaka
Turag-Rohitpur-Baurvita Road
Selected
Savar, Dhaka
Keraniganj (Konakhola) –
Kholamura Hazratpur Road
LGED
Kaliganj,
Gazipur
Kaliganj-Ulukhola - bypass Road
Bancharampur,
Brahmanbaria
Salimbad-Ruposhd Road
SWO
Rampura, Dhaka
Hatirjheel, Begunbari Khal
Nasirnagar, Brahmanbaia
Nasirnagar G.C – Chaitain G.C Road
SWO & LGED
Circular Road, Savar Cantonment
Shyamnagar,
Satkhira
Noabenki – Gazerhat – Harihajanhat Road
Dumuria, Khulna
Kathaltola – Magorkhali Road
Dacope, Khulna
Kalinagar – Mongla Port Road
Narail
Lahuria Saibor-Mithapur Bazar Road, Lohagora
South Para - Kandapara Rural Road, Bancharampur
Tezkhali-Titas River Ghat-Chandu Mia Bari Road, Bishnurampur

5. CONCEPT OF SUBGRADE REINFORCEMENT
Enough deformation is required for geotextile to act as reinforcement, i.e. yielding soil subgrade is needed to mobilise geotextile’s strength
A subgrade of less than 1% soaked CBR or less than 3% un-soaked CBR is recommended (Koerner, 1997)

6. FORCES IN A GEOTEXTILE LAYER (How strong should a geotextile be?)
B x L z qR q0
No of layer of JGT reinforcement N =1 ΔH
Load distribution diagram (after Binquet and Lee, 1975)

7. FORCES IN A GEOTEXTILE LAYER (How strong should a geotextile be?)
Vehicle Type
Self Weight in Kg
Load in Kg
Total Weight in Kg
Rear Axle Load in Kg
Wheel Load in Kg
Wheel Load in kN
Large Truck
12000
40000
52000
41600
20800
204 ≈ 205
Medium Truck
6000
15000
21000
16800
8400
82.4 ≈ 83
Small truck
3000
9000
7200
3600
35.3 ≈ 36
Large Bus
7000
19000
15200
7600
74.6 ≈ 75
Mini Bus
4000
10000
8000
39.2 ≈ 40

8. FORCES IN A GEOTEXTILE LAYER (How strong should a geotextile be?)
Cu =
JGT NOT REQUIRED
Tensile stress developed in JGT for mini bus at different depth for different undrained shear strength of soil.

9. Properties of 627 gsm and 724 gsm Untreated JGT
Parameter
Test Standard
Unit
Type of JGT
Description of Samples
627 gsm
724 gsm
Mass per Unit Area
ASTM D3776
gm/m2
629
830
Thickness
ASTM D1777 mm
1.79
2.43
AOS, O95
ASTM D4751* µm
Vertical Permeability
(2 kN/m2) at
DIN 5396
m/sec
*10-3
4.2
2.3
Grab Tensile Strength at 30°C
ASTM D4632 N
890/550
1130/730
Grab Tensile Elongation at 30°C %
31/36
27/30
Wide Width Tensile Strength at
ASTM D4595
kN/m
25/22
34/27
Wide Width Tensile Elongation at
17/13
10/16
CBR Puncture Resistance at 200 C
DIN 54307
3075
4310

10. Map of Bangladesh Showing Locations of Selected Sites

11. Laboratory Tests Conducted on Soil Samples
Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit
Grain size distribution (Wash Sieve analysis and Hydrometer analysis)
Standard Compaction
CBR on laboratory compacted soil at 3 densities
Shrinkage Limit, Linear Shrinkage, Free Swell, Free Swell Index and Swelling potential tests, specially for expansive soils
Before Application of JGT:
Field CBR
During Monitoring Stage:
Field CBR
Field Density

12. Length of construc-tion (m) District/Upa-zilla/Union
Selected Sites and Monitoring Status
Location
F/A
Length of construc-tion (m)
District/Upa-zilla/Union
Design
JGT Application
1st Stage Monitoring
2nd Stage Monitoring
Turag-Rohitpur-Baurvita Road
RHD
487
Keraniganj
Done
Completed
Done on
Done on
Noabenki–Gazerhat–Harihajanhat Road, Shymnagar
LGED
1000
Satkhira
Done on
South Para-Kandapara Rural Road, Bancharampur
700
Brahmanbaria
Done on
Done on
Tezkhali-Titas River Ghat-Chandu Mia Bari Road, Bishnurampur
450
Done on
Lahuria Saibor-Mithapur Bazar Road, Lohagora
Narail
Circular Road, Savar Cantonment
Dhaka
Done on

13. Turag-Ruhitpur-Baorvita Road, Keraniganj

14. Noabenki – Gazerhat – Harihajanhat, Shymnagar, Satkhira

15. Noabenki – Gazerhat – Harihajanhat, Shymnagar, Satkhira

16. South Para-Kandapara Rural Road, Bansarampur, Brahmanbaria
Chainage : 1650 m

17. South Para-Kandapara Rural Road, Bansarampur, Brahmanbaria
Chainage : 1650 m

18. Tezkhali-Titas River Ghat-Chandu Mia Bari Road, Bishnurampur, Brahmanbaria
Chainage : 123 m (Front)

19. Tezkhali-Titas River Ghat-Chandu Mia Bari Road, Bishnurampur, Brahmanbaria
Chainage : 123 m (Front)

20. Circular Road, Savar Cantonment
Chainage : 3500 m

21. Circular Road, Savar Cantonment
Chainage : 3500 m

22. Lahuria Saibor-Mithapur Bazar Road, Lohagora, Narail
Chainage : 5150 m

23. Lahuria Saibor-Mithapur Bazar Road, Lohagora, Narail
Chainage : Ch 5150 m

24. Summary of Soil Test Results of Six Selected Sites
No. of locations for Sample collection
% Finer
#200 Sieve
(0.074 mm)
Soil Type
Dry
Density
(kN/m3)
4-Day
Soaked
CBR
(%)
Turag-Rohitpur-Baurvita Road, Keraniganj 3
13.9~97.9
Silty Sand
15.60 ~16.91
4.5 ~6.0
Noabenki–Gazerhat–Harihajanhat Road,
Shyamnagar, Satkhira 1
99.8
Silty Clay
(LL=58,
PI=36)
13.65 ~15.07
0.3~1.1
Tezkhali-Titas River Ghat-Chandu Mia Bari Road, Bishnurampur, Brahmanbaria
86.6~95
Clayey silt
(LL=41~45,
PI=14~16)
15.50~15.69
1.0~8.0
South Para-Kandapara
Rural Road, Bancharampur, Brahmanbaria
99.0
Clayey Silt
(LL=39~42,
PI=13~16)
14.33~15.57
0.5~3.1
Lahuria Saibor-Mithapur Bazar Road,
Lohagora, Narail
99.3~99.8
(LL=67~83,
PI=37~53)
14.03~14.37
0.4~1.7
Circular Road, Savar Cantonment 2
92.8~95.4
(LL=55~67,
PI=37~38
SL=14~15
LS=14~15)
16.22~16.46
0.6~6.0
LL= Liquid Limit, PI = Plasticity Index, SL = Shrinkage Limit, LS = Linear Shrinkage

25. PROPOSED DESIGN SECTION (without ISG)
Turag-Rohitpur-Baurvita Road, Keraniganj
PROPOSED DESIGN SECTION (without ISG)
SUBGRADE COMPACTION min. 98% STD, SOAKED CBR min. 3%, DCP max. 25mm/BLOW, IF NOT AVAILABLE, 30mm SUB-GRADE, COMPACTED TO min. 98% STD IN TWO LAYERS, SOAKED CBR min. 4%, DCP max. 30mm/BLOW)
1800 mm
3700 mm
Treated JGT (724 gsm, 1.0 m wide)
150 mm COMPACTED AGGREGATE-SAND SUB-BASE (SAND: MAX. 50% OF MIX),
AGGREGATE ACV max. 32%, COMPACTED IN TWO LAYERS, EACH LAYER SOAKED CBR min. 30%, DCP max. 3.5 mm/BLOW, COMPACTED TO min. 98% MODIFIED.
150 mm COMPACTED WBM BASE, AGGREGATE ACV max.30%, COMPACTED IN TWO LAYERS, EACH LAYERS SOAKED CBR min. 80%, DCP max. 3.5 mm/BLOW,
COMPACTED TO min. 98% MODIFIED.
25 mm carpeting
7 mm seal coat

26. PROPOSED DESIGN SECTIONS (without ISG)

27. Turag-Rohitpur-Baurvita Road, Keraniganj 1st Stage Monitoring on 9. 03
Chainage
Subgrade CBR
85 ft from bridge approach
(9+418 m)
21.3
610 ft from bridge approach
(9+250 m)
12.6
9+200 m
7.9
9+335 m
7.0
Field CBR of Subgrade before JGT Application = 3.0

28. Turag-Rohitpur-Baurvita Road, Keraniganj
1st Stage Monitoring on

29. 2nd Stage Monitoring on 28.09.2012 Chainage Subgrade CBR
Turag-Rohitpur-Baurvita Road, Keraniganj
2nd Stage Monitoring on
Chainage
Subgrade CBR
237 ft from North edge of main road (9+272 m)
(Road with JGT)
18.0
371 ft from North edge of main road (9+313 m)
22.1
465 ft from North edge of main road (9+342 m)
(Road without JGT)
14.0
Field CBR of Subgrade before JGT Application = 3.0

30. Turag-Rohitpur-Baurvita Road, Keraniganj
2nd Stage Monitoring on
Chainage : 465 ft ( m) from north edge of road (Road section without JGT)

31. Turag-Rohitpur-Baurvita Road, Keraniganj
OMC = 15.38%
Dry Density = kN/m3
In Place CBR increased 6 to 7.4 times in 16 Months
OMC = 15.38%
Dry Density = kN/m3

32. Laying of JGT (treated 724 gsm) at Turag-Rohitpur-Baurvita Road, Keraniganj

33. Conducting In Place CBR Test at Turag-Rohitpur-Baurvita Road, Keraniganj

34. PROPOSED DESIGN SECTIONS(with ISG)
South Para-Kandapara Rural Road, Bansarampur, Brahmanbaria
PROPOSED DESIGN SECTIONS(with ISG)
Section A-A
SUBGRADE COMPACTION min. 98% STD, SOAKED CBR min. 4%, DCP max. 30mm/BLOW, IF NOT AVAILABLE, 30mm SUB-GRADE, COMPACTED TO min. 98% STD IN TWO LAYERS, SOAKED CBR min. 4%, DCP max. 30mm/BLOW)
305 mm
3050 mm
125 mm COMPACTED SAND IMPROVED SUB-GRADE, SAND FM min. 0.5, PI VALUE 6,SOAKED CBR min. 8% & DCP max. 22mm/BLOW,COMPACTED TO min. 98% MODIFIED.
Untreated JGT (724 gsm, 1.0 m wide)
125 mm COMPACTED SAND IMPROVED SUB-GRADE, SAND FM min. 0.5, PI VALUE<6,SOAKED CBR min. 8% & DCP max. 22mm/BLOW, COMPACTED TO min. 98% MODIFIED.
150 mm COMPACTED AGGREGATE-SAND SUB-BASE (SAND: MAX. 50% OF MIX),
AGGREGATE ACV max. 32%, COMPACTED IN TWO LAYERS, EACH LAYER SOAKED CBR min. 30%, DCP max. 3.5 mm/BLOW, COMPACTED TO min. 98% MODIFIED.
150 mm COMPACTED WBM BASE, AGGREGATE ACV max.30%, COMPACTED IN TWO LAYERS, EACH LAYERS SOAKED CBR min. 80%, DCP max. 3.5 mm/BLOW, COMPACTED TO min. 98% MODIFIED.
25 mm carpeting
7 mm seal coat
305mm

35. South Para-Kandapara Rural Road, Bansarampur, Brahmanbaria

36. Field CBR of Subgrade before JGT Application = 2.4
South Para- Kandapara Rural Road, Bansarampur, Brahmanbaria
1st Stage Monitoring on
Chainage
Subgrade CBR
2150 m
(Road with JGT)
5.5
1650 m
2.1
1450 m
(Road without JGT)
2.2
Field CBR of Subgrade before JGT Application = 2.4

37. (Road section with JGT)
South Para- Kandapara Rural Road, Bansarampur, Brahmanbaria
1st Stage Monitoring on
Chainage : 1450 m
(Road section without JGT)
Chainage : 1650 m
(Road section with JGT)

38. Field CBR of Subgrade before JGT Application = 2.4
South Para- Kandapara Rural Road, Bansarampur, Brahmanbaria
2nd Stage Monitoring on
Chainage
Subgrade CBR
1840 m
(Road with JGT)
8.5
2000 m
7.1
2100 m
10.4
80 m
(Road without JGT)
4.8
Field CBR of Subgrade before JGT Application = 2.4

39. South Para-Kandapara Rural Road, Bansarampur, Brahmanbaria
OMC = 21.1%
Dry Density = kN/m3
OMC = 21.1%
Dry Density = kN/m3
OMC = 21.1%
Dry Density = kN/m3
In Place CBR increased 3.5 to 4.3 times in 16 Months

40. Laying of JGT untreated 724 gsm) at South Para-Kandapara Rural Road, Bansarampur, Brahmanbaria

41. Field CBR Test at South Para-Kandapara Rural Road, Bansarampur, Brahmanbaria

42. Field CBR of Subgrade before JGT Application = 3.3
Tezkhali-Titas River Ghat-Chandu Mia Bari Road, Bishnurampur, Brahmanbaria
1st Stage Monitoring on
Chainage
Subgrade CBR
53 m
(Road with JGT)
14.0
123 m
11.0
173 m
11.1
Field CBR of Subgrade before JGT Application = 3.3

43. Tezkhali-Titas River Ghat-Chandu Mia Bari Road, Bishnurampur, Brahmanbaria
1st Stage Monitoring on

44. In Place CBR increased 3.4 to 4.2 times in 16 Months
Tezkhali-Titas River Ghat-Chandu Mia Bari Road, Bishnurampur, Brahmanbaria
OMC = 18.7%
Dry Density = kN/m3
OMC = 18.7%
Dry Density = kN/m3
OMC = 18.7%
Dry Density = kN/m3
In Place CBR increased 3.4 to 4.2 times in 16 Months

45. Laying of JGT (untreated 724 gsm)
at Tezkhali-Titas River Ghat-Chandu Mia Bari Road, Bishnurampur, Brahmanbaria

46. Performance of Field CBR Test and Field Density Test
at Tezkhali-Titas River Ghat-Chandu Mia Bari Road, Bishnurampur, Brahmanbaria
24 April 2017

47. Circular Road, Savar Cantonment
1st Stage Monitoring on
Chainage
Subgrade CBR
35 m
(Road with JGT)
2.7
300 m
3.1
600 m
7.0
Field CBR of Subgrade before JGT Application = 3.6

48. Circular Road, Savar Cantonment
1st Stage Monitoring on

49. Circular Road, Savar Cantonment
OMC = 19.6%
Dry Density = 16.5 kN/m3
OMC = 19.6%
Dry Density = 16.5 kN/m3
OMC = 19.6%
Dry Density = 16.5 kN/m3
In Place CBR increased up to 1.9
times in 6 Months

50. Laying of JGT (untreated 627 gsm) at Circular Road, Savar Cantonment

51. Performance of Field CBR Test at Circular Road, Savar Cantonment
24 April 2017

52. Field CBR of Subgrade before JGT Application = 2.6
Noabenki – Gazerhat – Harihajanhat Road, Shymnagar, Satkhira
1st Stage Monitoring on
Chainage
Sub-grade CBR
6700 m
(Road with JGT)
3.6
7100 m
3.9
7500 m
3.4
Field CBR of Subgrade before JGT Application = 2.6

53. Noabenki – Gazerhat – Harihajanhat Road , Shymnagar, Satkhira
1st Stage Monitoring on

54. Noabenki-Gazerhat-Harihajanhat Road, Shymnagar, Satkhira
OMC = 20.1%
Dry Density = 15.8 kN/m3
OMC = 20.1%
Dry Density = 15.8 kN/m3
OMC = 20.1%
Dry Density = 15.8 kN/m3
In Place CBR increased 1.3 to 1.5
times in 6 Months

55. Laying of JGT at Noabenki-Gazerhat-Harihajanhat Road, Shymnagar, Satkhira
24 April 2017

56. Performance of Field CBR Test at
Noabenki-Gazerhat-Harihajanhat Road, Shymnagar, Satkhira

57. Contribution of Different Components
On Subgrade
On JGT
On ISG
Following hypothesis has been proposed by BUET regarding mechanisms involved with increase of CBR value with time:
Contribution of different phenomenon
Time
JGT acts as initial reinforcement
Subgrade soil consolidates
Dry density of subgrade soil increases due to moisture absorption via lower sand ISG layer and JGT

58. Concluding Remarks
In general, due to use of JGT CBR values of subgrade soil increased with time of JGT application.
Depending on soil conditions and time of JGT application, CBR values of the subgrade soil increased about 1.3 to 7.4 times.
It appears from the test results that use of JGT in the construction of rural roads in Bangladesh plays a significant role in strengthening the subgrade soil.
Both Treated and Untreated JGTs decomposed within one year of implementation.

59. Thank You