Joanna Grzybowska-Pietras

Innovative wool geotextiles designed for erosion protection

Innovative geotextiles built from meandrically arranged thick ropes were produced. For the production of the geotextiles, the strips of woollen nonwoven were used. The segments of the geotextiles were installed on the bank of a drainage ditch. The behaviour of the geotextiles during 1 year was observed. It was demonstrated that the geotextiles installed in the ditch provide immediate protection of the bank. In the soil-covered wool, the process of slow biodegradation was initiated. Because of a low biodegradation rate at the end of the growing season, when the protective vegetation was not well developed, the geotextiles maintained their protective potential. In the following months, the biodegradation led to further destruction of wool fibres. During the biodegradation, the organic compounds rich in nitrogen were released into the soil. In spring, at the beginning of new growing season, the compounds acted as effective fertilizers, promoting the growth of protective vegetation. The vegetation growing on the bank provided an effective protection and took over the protective function of the geotextiles.

Biodegradation of Wool Used for the Production of Innovative Geotextiles Designed to Erosion Control

Sheep wool was used for the production of innovative geotextiles designed to erosion control. The Kemafil ropes filled with wool, which are used for the production of geotextiles were buried in the ground. During ground disposal the susceptibility of wool to biodegradation was observed. The basic geometrical and mechanical parameters of wool fibres as well as their chemical composition and the surface morphology were analysed. It was observed that the ground disposal causes the decrease of breaking force of fibres and the destruction of scales on their surface. Within four months the biodegradation reaches the first stage consisting in cleavage of disulfide bonds of keratin. The rapid biodegradation is observed in fibres mechanically damaged. In the presence of the hydrogel the biodegradation is delayed. After four months, despite observed biodegradation of wool, the ropes maintain their ability to fulfil the erosion protection function.

Utilisation of textile wastes for the production of geotextiles designed for erosion protection

Abstract Textile waste was used for production of thick ropes designed for the protection of slopes against sliding and erosion. For the production of ropes, scraps of insulating materials produced from poor quality wool and scraps of nonwoven manufactured from blend of recycled fibres were applied. The ropes were installed on the slope in a disused gravel pit. Stabilisation of the slope and behaviour of the materials used were analysed during two vegetation seasons. Investigations confirmed the usefulness of the technology for the protection of steep slopes.