A Study on the Reinforcement Effect of Geotextiles from Renewable Textile Fibers on the Interface of Natural Gravel and Silty Clay

Jiang Liu, Zheng Wang, Bin Kuang, Shimao Le, Ji Tian, Chenglong Zhang, Junting Chen

Article
2025 / Volume 8 / Pages 1074-1090
Received 14 August 2025; Accepted 24 September 2025; Published 24 December 2025
https://doi.org/10.31881/TLR.2025.1074

Abstract
The textile industry is undergoing a transformation driven by sustainable development, seeking alternatives to petroleum-based products. This research investigates novel textile products derived from renewable fibers, evaluating their performance in geotechnical engineering as a sustainable alternative to conventional synthetics. We explore the reinforcement effect of nonwoven geotextiles fabricated from processed yarn and staple fibers of polylactic acid (PLA)—a biodegradable organic compound—and natural fibers such as jute and coir, which are sourced through agricultural methods similar to those used for cotton. The study focuses on the challenging interface between natural gravel and silty clay. Through large-scale direct shear tests, the performance of these advanced fiber products was quantified. Unlike traditional weaving, the nonwoven manufacturing process creates a unique fabric structure. All renewable geotextiles significantly enhanced the interface shear strength, with the PLA textile increasing it by up to 75%. This improvement is attributed to the application of advanced textile technology and materials science, resulting in a durable fabric with high frictional characteristics. The findings represent a significant advancement for both geotechnical engineering and the textile industry, demonstrating that bio-based and natural fibers can be engineered into high-performance materials, thus creating a new class of functional textiles.

Keywords
textile technology, renewable fibers, sustainable development, geotextile, natural fibers