Application of Innovative Ropes from Textile Waste as an Anti-Erosion Measure

Abstract

Using materials from recycling is a key part of decreasing present-day waste. It is optimal for recycled material to be used in environmental protection. This paper presents the application of geotextile ropes in erosion protection of a slope of a gravel pit. To protect the slope, thick ropes with a diameter of 120 mm made from wool and a mixture of recycled natural and synthetic fibers were used. After 47 months from installation, soil and rope specimens were taken from the slope parts with inclinations 1:1 and 1:1.8, and their physical and mechanical properties were determined. Direct shear tests were applied to determine the soil shear strength parameters in state at sampling and at Ic = 0 (unconsolidated and consolidated). Based on the obtained soil shear strength parameters, the loads on the ropes were determined, taking into account also unfavorable hydraulic conditions and compared to rope strength. It was shown that even after 47 months from installation, rope tension strength was higher as tension forces were induced in the ropes in every case. At present, whole slopes in protected sections are stabilized, without rills and gullies.

Keywords

• post-consumer textile waste
• wool waste
• erosion
• anti-erosion measure
• Kemafil technology
• slope stability