沙漠研究 19-1, 249- 252 (2009 )Journal of Arid Land Studies“Desert Technology IX ”
Refereed Paper

Application of Geotextiles in Erosion Control-A Field ExperimentRaghuvanshi RAM1, J.P. SHUKLA1, E. PETERS1, S. CHOUDHARY1, K. PRASAD1
Abstract: The paper presents the results of a field experiment conducted in the campus ofAdvanced Material and Processes Research Institute (CSIR), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India,
to test the effectiveness of geotextiles as a soil erosion control measure. To date, there is nospecific geotextile like sisal geotextile commercially available. But sisal is a locally available
plant and the textile can be produced by small-scale industry. So, this is a better alternative
materials for soil erosion control. There is a need for specific information about significant
parameters of such products in terms of erosion control. The results reveal that treatment withsisal geotextiles in comparision with coir and jute geotextiles, is an effctive eco-hydrologicalmeasue to protect the steep slope lands from erosion. This paper analyses the perfomance ofthe sisal geotextile as compare to other geotextiles with respect to soil erosion control.
Keywords: Fiber, Geotextiles, Runoff, Soil erosion control

1. Introduction
In the present experiment Sisal, Jute and Coir are used as natural fibers geotextiles. Presently inIndia, coir and jute geotextiles are used since long time. But the use of sisal based geotextile is very
limited in India. The research team is being carrying out an field research to compare the effectiveness ofsisal geotextile with jute and coir geotextiles. Following is the short introduction of different fibers which
are being used in the present research work.
Jute is natural multi filament fiber, durable and simple to both produce and dispose. Biodegradable
woven jute is accessible in a number of weave densities, initially anticipated as a geotextile to avoid landsliding and consequent to deforestation.
Coir is a natural insulation material produced from flax fibers, intertwined together into non-woven
matting, which can then be set in lofts or put into wall cavities. Coir geotextiles are applied in areas oferosion control, soil conservation, and other civil and bioengineering applications. It also has theappropriate strength and toughness to protect the slopes from erosion while permitting vegetation toflourish. They can dissolve the energy of flowing water and absorb the extra solar radiation.
Sisal has evolved in nature as a xerophyte plant and it is scanty and shrunken stomata, heavy waxy
cuticle and thick-set root system. In India best land very naturally goes for food crops and waste land thatis used for sisal plantation is usually poor in nutrient, dry and unfit for food crop. Sisal can be grown on
all uncultivated wastelands under rainfed conditions thus avoiding the loss of crop due to frequent droughts.
The crop requires less inputs and management in comparison to other crops of such value; except care atnursery stage. It is the most promising crop for the tribal and underdeveloped part of the country, wherelands and labor are available in plenty. Sisal checks soil erosion, provide opportunities for employment
generation in fields and factories and raw materials to the cottage industries. Thus it may help in raising
the socio-economic status of the rural communities.
2. Materials and Methods
In India, application of geotextiles for erosion control is still in infant stage and experiments are being
carried out in different parts of the country. There are several forms of geotextiles out of which, the threenatural fibres based geotextiles are used in the present research work.
The geotextiles, which are being used in the experimental work, are Jute, Coir and sisal geotextiles.
The experiment is being carried out in four plots of 7 sq. m. each (2 m × 3.5 m). The slope of the each plot
is 17˚ in same type of black cotton soil. An analysis and comparison is made of soil erosion parameters forsisal and two other geotextiles (made from coir and jute) under the natural rainfall condition.
1

Natural Resources Management Group, Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR), NearHabibganj Naka, Hoshangabad Road, Madhya Pradesh, India – 462 0 64. E-mail: raghuvanshiram@gmail.com

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Coir, Sisal and Jute geotextiles have been used in this experiment as a temporary erosion control
measure to stabilize soil. Geotextiles are used with mesh opening of 36 mm2 and a density of 0.80 Kg/m2for sisal, 0.68 Kg/m2 for jute and 0.70 Kg/m2 for coir. Three types of geotextiles (Jute, Sisal and Coir) areinstalled in three plots and fourth plot is in the virgin condition (Figs. 1 - 6). The fabrics are fixed on theearth surface with the help of iron pegs.
The water samples are collected from the collected runoff – water in the separate tanks for each plotfor 24 hours. The soil loss and runoff volume are measured which are significant parameters to erosion
control. Rainfall was measured using a self-recording rain gauge installed at field site.
The field experiment results of one-year data of sisal, jute and coir geotextiles are shown in following
Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 1. Experimental plots withoutGeotextile.

Fig. 2. View of plots After Installationof Geotextile.

Fig. 3. Sisal Geotextile.

Fig. 4. Coir Geotextile.

Fig. 5. Jute Geotextile.

Fig. 6. Plot without Geotextile.

2CoirJute1(g/l)

Sisal

10.0
7.
2008
14.0
7.
2008
26.0
7.
2008
30.0
7.
2008
02.0
8.
2008
06.0
8.
20
008
8.0
8.
2008
10.0
8.
2008
13.0
8.
20026
8.0
8.
200803.0
9.
2008
08.0
9.
2008
11.0
9.
2008
18.0
9.
2008
21.0
9.
20
08

0Fig. 7. Comparative Soil Erosion.

Coir

105

jute0

Sisal

10.0
7.
14 2008.0
7.
26 2008.0
7.
30 200
8.0
7.
20
02
0
8.0
8.
06 2008.0
8.
08 2008.0
8.
10 2008.0
8.
13 2008.0
8.
26 2008.0
8.
03 200
8.0
9.
20
08
08.0
9.
11 2008.0
9.
18 2008.0
9.
21 2008.09.
2008(mm)15Fig. 8. Rainfall- Runoff Relationship.

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Presently, the reported chemical, physical and mechanical properties of Jute, Coir and Sisal fibers areused for the comparative study of degradability which are shown in the following Tables 1, 2 and 3
respectively.
Table 1. Chemical Properties of Fibers.

Materials
Jute
Coir
Sisal

Cellulose
wt %
61 –
71.50
36 - 43
66 - 72

Hemicellulose
wt %
13.60 – 20.4

Ligninwt %12 - 15

Pectin

Wax
wt %
0.50

Humidity

0.20

WaterSoluble
1.10

0.15 - 0.25
10 - 1341 - 45
8 – 113-4
10

16.20

211.0012.60

Data Source: R.V. SILVA & E.M.F. AQUINO – Nov. 2007

Table 2. Physical Properties of Fibers.

Materials
Jute
Coir
Sisal

Length (m)0.15 – 0.36
0.15 – 0.20
0.60 – 1.2

Diameter (mm)0.10 – 0.20
0.01 – 0.02
0.05 – 0.20

Density (gm/cm3)
1.47
1.40
1.35

Data Source: Mohini Saxena & U.S. SHARMA – 2008

Table 3. Mechanical Properties of Fibers.

Materials
Jute
Coir
Sisal

Tensile Strength (MPa)393 - 773
131- 175
511 - 635

Tensile modulus (GPa)26.50
4 - 139.40 - 22

Elongation at break %1.20
41 - 45
2-3Data Source: R.V. SILVA & E.M.F. AQUINO – Nov. 2007

3. Results and Discussion
The studies carried out on the geotextiles have shown very positive result for the soil erosion control.
An analysis and comparison is made of soil erosion parameters for sisal and two other geotextiles (madefrom coir and jute), which are being tested on the land slope of 17% under the natural rainfall condition.
Runoff volume and soil loss for daily 24 hours are measured as important parameters which are verysignificant to erosion control.
The comparative amount of soil loss (gram/litre) is shown in figure 7. The Sisal geotextile plot hasfewer amounts as compare to coir and jute geotextile plots. It is also observed that virgin plot shows ahigher amount of soil erosion because of the high runoff value.
It is observed that the sisal geotextile has less amount of runoff – water as compare to otherexperimental plots. The runoff (mm) comparison of different geotextile is shown in figure 8 which showsthat runoff in sisal geotextile is less as compare to other geotextiles.
Thus on the basis of the field experiment result of one year data of sisal, jute and coir geotextiles
results shown in Figures 7 and 8, it is observed that the;1. Sisal geotextile is able to reduce runoff volume and total soil loss compared with the results ofthese parameters from jute, coir and bare soil.
2. The physical properties of sisal geotextile may be used to explain observed variations in soil
erosion rates and runoff volumes, compared with other geotextiles products.
The research work is still continued on above said geotextiles. At the end of the project, researchteam is expecting more valuable findings regarding the sisal geotextile, which, aims to evaluate the use ofsisal as an erosion control geotextile.
4. Conclusions
All the physical, chemical, mechanical and field experiment data show that the sisal geotextile has
better scope for soil erosion control. Therefore, sisal geotextile may be used for slope stabilization andsoil erosion control.

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Sisal suppliers will need to provide reliable data giving technical details of the geotextiles offered andtheir expected behavior.
Thus, comparative study shows that, the sisal geotextile has very convincing result for soil and water
conservation. The sediment loss and runoff data show that the sisal geotextile absorbs more water andtherefore, the runoff and sediment erosion are less as compare to Jute and coir geotextiles.
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