Effect of strain rate on interface friction angle between sand and alkali activated binder treated jute

Abstract

The interface friction angle between reinforcement and soil is a significant property that defines the suitability of geotextile for several applications such as reinforced retaining wall and slope stability. However, it is not an intrinsic property and varies with several experimental factors such as relative density of sand and shearing strain at which shear tests are conducted. Recent literature shows the wide application of jute geotextile in geotechnical constructions such as slope stability, river bank protection, and subgrade stabilization. However, its application is limited due to low durability under the soil. Therefore, to improve the resistance of jute geotextile against the biological degradation, it has been treated with the fly ash-based treatment solution. This study makes an attempt to investigate the effect of strain rate on the interface friction angle between sand and alkali activated binder treated jute geotextile. The tests are conducted in large shear box apparatus specifically assembled to determine interface shear properties. The jute geotextile is treated with alkali activated binder of four different water to solid ratios, each of them is cured at the temperature of 40 °C. The results obtained are then collated with those obtained from untreated jute geotextile. This study further delineates the effect of the degree of compaction on the interface friction between the reinforcement and sand. Hence, the interface shear properties apropos to the relative density of sand, shear strain, and treatment composition are compared and the obtained trends along with the optimum values are presented.