INVESTIGATION ON JUTE FABRIC AS A GEOTEXTILE FOR SUBGRADE STABILIZATION.

Abstract

An investigation revealed that jute fabric has potential for use as a filter fabric as well as a fabric reinforcement to stabilize and protect weak subgrades. When jute fabric is placed directly on the subgrade and topped with a granular backfill to form a sub-base for the pavement, it functions in three different ways: (1) it separates the subgrade from the sub-base, thus preventing the punching of the base material into the subgrade and at the same time, the fines from the subgrade are also prevented from gaining entry into the road-structure; (2) it acts as a drainage layer to remove excess water which may soften the subgrade; and (3) it helps improve the strength and settlement of the subgrade by acting as a fabric reinforcement. Refs.