Utilizing Composite Banana Fiber and Viscose Rayon Nonwoven Geotextile for Sustainable Landslide Prevention ^†

Abstract

This project aimed to develop a novel composite non-woven geotextile composed of banana fiber and viscose fiber to address landslide-controlling challenges using techniques such as needle-punching or weaving. The seeds will be inserted in the geotextile material to support the vegetation growth. The results of this study have the possibility to subsidize sustainable slope protection solutions, reducing reliance on synthetic materials and promoting the use of eco-friendly alternatives. A laboratory test would be conducted to optimize the ratio of the two fibers and evaluate the slope protection effectiveness.

1. Introduction

Natural disasters like landslides are geological events that are characterized by the downward movement of soil structures, rocks, or loose debris, often brought about by factors such as seismic activity, heavy rainfall, or human activities like deforestation and construction. All these events can result in adverse consequences, including the loss of people’s lives, demolition of property, and disturbance of vital infrastructure. Landslide repair techniques have been created over the past 70 years, and the historical effects of landslides, their causes, and soil collapse have been investigated [1]. Landslides caused by water erosion contribute to the destruction of life and the environment. Fibrous structures protect land through certain mechanisms, i.e., reductions in the emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂) can protect environments by physically protecting various aggregate size fractions [2]. Although effective, control measures for conventional landslides such as concrete-retaining walls, soil nailing, mechanically stabilizing walls, and other different engineering structures, frequently incur high costs, demand substantial resources, and can result in adverse environmental consequences As the demand for constructed structures is continuously growing, expanding towards unprotected hilly and mountainous regions, the need for more sustainable and eco-friendly landslide mitigation methods is noticeable. The utilization of composite geotextiles offers an encouraging alternative for this condition. Generally, geotextiles are synthetic or natural materials placed within different geotechnical materials like soil and rocks to improve the properties of engineering structures. These are widely used for erosion control, the stabilization of soil, and the reinforcement of infrastructure. The liquid extrusion porosimeter technique and a capillary flow parameter were used as a foundation for the experimental evaluation of the hybrid’s nonwoven pore size distribution [3]. For the method of needle-punching, used for nonwoven geotextile manufacturing, a comparison of the mechanical and physical characteristics was made [4]. Reducing damage to micro-organisms and fauna reduces the pollution of nonpoint source waters from agricultural runoff into rivers and the risk of soil erosion. Due to steep structures and heavy coarse soil (silty clay loam, clay loam, silty loam, etc.) having a low permeation rate due to eroded external layers, this large quantity of rainwater drives waste as overflow and generates the problem of soil erosion [5]. Geotextiles establish vegetation on very highly degraded soils that cannot be stabilized by conventional methods, providing mechanical strength to land surfaces, holding vegetation in place with its open mesh, and conserving moisture and fine soil through its webbing structure [6]. The availability of geotextile and geomembrane over time has changed the possibility of repair considerably, particularly in cases where weathering is extreme [7]. Soil erosion can be controlled using geotextiles that promote vegetation growth, and live plant stakes act as a temporary anchor [8]. Thus, geotextiles are a potential tool for controlling soil erosion and technology like in situ green water harvesting. Geotextiles can be anchored by using a short trench excavated at the top and bottom of a slope [9]. The availability of geotextile and geomembrane over time has changed the possibility of repair considerably, particularly in cases where the weathering is poor. [10]. Soil erosion parameters under conditions of natural rainfall have been analysed [11]. The vegetation growth will support erosion control. The orientation of fibers will be in a random direction such that it will prevent soil particles from being clogged, which is a main factor in the seepage of water in a structure. The composite material will help in drainage. Erosion control and proper drainage are good factors to control landslides.

2. Experimental Program

2.1. Materials and Methods

Figure 1 shows the two different nonwoven geotextiles made of banana fiber and viscose rayon fiber (synthetic) in the composite form to control the landslide. Nonwoven composite geotextile with a bottom layer (viscose) thickness of 80 microns and a top layer (banana fiber) thickness of 200 microns, tensile strength of 2–3 kN, and permeability greater than 100 L/s will be used. Nonwoven geotextiles would be made like a blanket, with a seed embedded in the geotextile for future vegetation growth to control the erosion of soil.

2.2. Methodology

Figure 2 shows the manufacturing process of the non-woven geotextile, in which two different fibers would be used and collected from the manufacturer in baled form.

3. Results and Discussion

Table 1. Properties of non-woven geotextile.

Properties	Values
Mass per unit area (g/cm2)	1.70
Aperture opening size (mm)	0.80
Tensile strength (kn/m) (wrap/weft)	35/30
Puncture strength (N)	500
Permeability	Less than 100

shows the different properties of the non-woven geotextile and Figure 3 shows a comparison of the properties of banana fiber-reinforced soil.

4. Patents

The patent application number 202321081233 is published on the Indian Patent Office website.