Jute Geo-Textile (JGT) can be used as reinforcing material to stabilize both peat and black cotton soil as its feasibility for various civil engineering applications was evaluated, Union Jute Commissioner, under Ministry of Textiles, Subrata Gupta disclosed Monday.
There is vast scope of using this material in civil engineering projects inter-alia road construction, slope protection and water reservoirs in North Eastern Region (NER), Gupta said while addressing as chief guest at “one-day technical workshop on applications of Jute Geo textiles in Nagaland” organized by Indian Jute Industries Research Association (IJIRA) under sponsorship of Ministry of Textiles and National Jute Board at Kohima.
Gupta also said laboratory tests show the increment of soil properties like shear strength and dry density while permeability and settlement decreased on introduction of jute geo-textile, indicating significant improvement in the engineering behaviour.
The workshop was a part of a scheme sponsored by Ministry of Textiles for promoting usage of geo technical textiles in NER, for five years from 2014-15 to 2018-19 with a financial outlay of Rs. 427 crore.
He pointed out that use of jute geo textiles in road construction could reduce the thickness of the pavement, thereby reducing the quantity of material required, providing 10-11% cost cutting. However, he asked to retain the same budget.
Appreciating jute geotechnical textiles, Gupta also said that jute was “gift of nature” designed for solving problems of the soil, used sporadically in engineering applications to improve the properties of soil through which roads, buildings and structure comes up.
He said that jute was strong and supple, absorb moisture and after doing its job mixes with the soil without leaving a trace.
On projects conducted across the country, Gupta informed that jute geo textiles has been used successfully “wherever it has been applied correctly” in 205 projects across the country in different weather conditions and different soil condition.
He also said that jute geo textiles have been used in 65 Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) roads and riverbanks. He also informed that 205 projects had been undertaken across the country in different weather conditions and different soil condition.
Subrata further expressed desire to collaborate with Nagaland for carrying out projects under the scheme.
On how to finance jute geotechnical, Subrata informed that Government of India would finance 100% reimbursement to NER for using jute geotechnical textiles in the course of carrying out projects.
Addressing as guest of honor, engineer in chief NPWD, V Kehie said that as engineers the main concern was quality of soil as foundation. He thanked the Ministry of textiles for coming to Nagaland to impart technical knowledge on jute geo textiles. Principal Scientist IJIRA, Dr. SK Chakrabarti gave the welcome address while Dircetor IJIRA, US Sarma delivered vote of thanks. The programme was followed by two technical sessions.