Investigation into the use of non-woven geotextiles in soil stabilization

Abstract

Nowadays new soil stabilization techniques are being sought to reduce the cost of road and highway construction, and therefore increase their lifetime. One of such techniques is the utilization of geosynthetic materials, particularly geotextiles. This paper specifically focuses on the application of non-woven geotextiles. Their selection is underpinned by their commendable mechanical and physical attributes, as well as their substantial potential for reinforcing and bolstering the bearing capacity of subsoils. In the pursuit of this investigation, two distinct soil types were sampled: one from the Missabougou district in Bamako, Mali, and the other from the Sariçam district in Adana, Turkey. Rigorous advanced laboratory tests, including particle size analysis, Atterberg limits, moisture content, specific gravity, compaction test, and California bearing ratio test were conducted. A total of 48 CBR experiments were carried out under unsoaked conditions, both with and without non-woven geotextiles. The geosynthetic materials were strategically placed at various depths within the CBR mold (H/5, 2H/5, 3H/5, 4H/5) in both single and multiple layers, with three compaction efforts applied to each sample. The findings revealed a significant enhancement in soil sample strength, particularly 100% compaction at H/5 for both Missabougou and Sariçam specimens. The CBR values for Missabougou soil were notably elevated from 12 to 76 with the presence of the geotextile. Similarly, the CBR outcome of Sariçam soil exhibited improvement from 45 to 75. The investigational results underscored a robust improvement in CBR values for the analyzed subsoils as a direct consequence of the effect of the reinforcement elements. The present study contributes to the pursuit of cost-effective soil stabilization techniques by highlighting the benefits of non-woven geotextiles. Using these materials strategically improves soil strength, emphasizing their potential application in highway and road construction, thus resulting in a longer lasting and more durable infrastructure.