In recent years, there has been an increased focus on the research of earthen construction, driven by the rising demand for low-cost and sustainable building materials. Numerous studies have investigated the properties of compressed earth blocks (CEBs), however, very few have examined the properties of earth-based mortar. Mortar is an essential component and further investigation is required to enhance the mechanical performance of CEB structures. The study focuses on raw earth mortar (REM), which is a rudimentary mix of water with natural earth consisting of sand, silt and clay. Through experimental investigation, the fresh and hardened properties of three REM mixes were examined to determine the influence of cement stabilisation and jute fibre reinforcement. Shear triplet CEB assemblages were manufactured and tested to determine the initial shear strength of each mortar mix. The addition of 20 mm jute fibre at 0.25 % by weight increased the compressive and flexural strength of cement-stabilised raw earth mortar by 12 % and 20 % respectively. The addition of jute fibre also enhanced the initial shear strength, angle of internal friction and coefficient of friction during shear triplet testing. Finite element analysis (FEA) was undertaken to model the failure mechanism of the CEB assemblages, employing the use of cohesive zone modelling. The results of the FEA provided a satisfactory correspondence to the behaviour observed during experimental analysis and were within +/- 5.0 % of the expected values. The outcome of this investigation demonstrates the potential of REM and contributes to the development of low-cost and sustainable earth construction.

Expansive soils, with their pronounced swell-shrink behavior, pose significant challenges to structural stability and durability. This study introduces an innovative stabilization approach by integrating natural (jute) and synthetic (nylon) fibers with cement to enhance the mechanical properties and volumetric stability of expansive soils. The unique synergy between natural and synthetic fibers is a key feature, leveraging the surface roughness and bonding capacity of jute with the durability and tensile strength of nylon to create a robust and stable soilfiber-cement matrix. Experimental evaluations, including unconfined compressive strength (UCS), indirect tensile strength (ITS), California bearing ratio (CBR), 1D swell tests, and linear shrinkage tests, revealed significant improvements: UCS, ITS, and CBR values increased by up to 1380 %, 1565 %, and 1450 %, respectively. The inclusion of fibers, in combination with cement, significantly enhanced UCS, ITS, and CBR values by up to 109 %, 200 %, and 11 %, respectively, compared to cement-only stabilization. The optimal fiber content of 0.5 % for both jute and nylon maximized these enhancements, effectively mitigating moisture-induced volume changes by reducing free swell strain and swell pressure by over 90 %. Linear shrinkage was also substantially minimized, improving soil durability and structural integrity. Microstructural and chemical analyses using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the formation of a dense matrix with enhanced particle interlocking and the development of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel, providing chemical stabilization. The findings underscore the potential for this methodology to revolutionize soil stabilization practices, offering durable and environmentally responsible options for geotechnical and civil engineering applications.

This work focused on the development of a hydrophobic biocomposite film reinforced with natural jute fiber. The biocomposite was made using a blend of chitosan and guar gum and reinforced with varying concentration of jute fiber followed by casting and air drying in petri dishes. Microscopic analysis of the cross-sectional structure of the films revealed a dense, compact morphology and FTIR result shows evidence of chemical interaction of the composite components. The inclusion of Jute fiber was found to increase the water repellant capacity of the films. The film water vapor permeability (WVP) was reduced from 4.1 x 10(-10) (g/m(2)center dot day center dot kPa) to 1.2 x 10(-10) (g/m(2)center dot day center dot kPa) with addition of jute fiber. Although the presence of Jute affects color properties of the films, it significantly improved their ability to block UV-Vis light. The tensile strength and elongation at break of CS/GG 0 % JT film, CS/GG/1 % JT, CS/GG/1.25 %JT and, CS/GG/1.5 % JT film was turned out to be (38.4 MPa, 45.3 MPa, 51.6 MPa and 60 MPa), (15.33 %, 17.66 %, 21.33 % and, 14 %) respectively. Notably, an increased in the DPPH radical scavenging assay was also observed from similar to 87 % in CS/GG composite to 99.4 % (1 % JT film), 99.66 % (1.25 %JT film) and 99.83 % for 1.5 % JT reinforced films respectively. Furthermore, all films showed excellent antimicrobial activity against the foodborne pathogen Escherichia coli and Fusarium oxysporum fungi highlighting their potential as active food packaging material. Signs of biodegradation were observed following four month of soil burial test, confirming the environmental sustainability of the produced biocomposite film.

The development pattern of shrinkage cracks in sandy clay under dry wet cycling conditions is relatively complex. This study employed indoor experiments and image analysis methods to explore the inhibition mechanism of jute fiber on drying shrinkage cracks in sandy clay under dry wet cycling conditions. The results demonstrated that the jute fiber effectively inhibits crack propagation through friction, overlap, and anchoring mechanisms. Notably, increasing the fiber content can considerably reduce soil crack rate and crack width and promote the micro crack formation. The water absorption capability of jute fiber helps to evenly distribute water in the soil, thereby slowing down the evaporation rate and limiting crack formation. For instance, the addition of 0.6 % jute fiber led to a decrease in its crack rate and average crack width by 15.4 % and 53.3 %, respectively, compared to pure clay. Furthermore, after 5 cycles of wet-dry cycles, the crack rate and average crack width of sandy clay with different dosages decreased by 65-80 % and 69-75 %, respectively. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical support for incorporating jute fiber in clay improvement, which is immensely significant for enhancing the durability and stability of clay in engineering applications.

Effective weed management is crucial for maintaining soil health and ensuring the availability of essential resources, such as water, and sunlight. However, current weed control strategies fall short in terms of sustainability and environmental impact, with issues like chemical resistance, soil microplastics and non-targeted damage becoming increasingly prevalent. Here, a potential weed control fabric based on eco-friendly and abundant jute fiber is demonstrated that reduces weed growth and minimizes the level of water evaporation. Jute weed control fabrics (JWCFs) are structurally and density adjusted to create different fabric porosities. The variation in porosity effectively regulates the transmission of sunlight hindering weed photosynthesis while effectively reducing water evaporation. The optimization of microporosity improves the performance of the fabric in suppressing weeds and retaining soil moisture. Field experiments with JWCFs revealed a reduction of 61-100 % in weed growth, an average decrease of 1.6-4.3 degrees C in soil heat accumulation, 6.0-68.5 % suppression of water evaporation, and a 47.52 % weight loss after 40 days of degradation. These findings underscore the feasibility of utilizing jute fabric as an effective weed control solution, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional weed management methods.

Substrate is the key material of soilless culture. The physical and chemical properties of the solidified cultivation medium are good and relatively stable, and there is no need to use plastic cultivation containers in the cultivation process, which has a broad application prospect in three-dimensional greening and fruit and vegetable planting. We have developed a novel substrate solidified process with high-frequency electromagnetic heating, which significantly reduces energy consumption compared to the traditional curing process with steam heating. In this study, the effects of three modification methods (alkali modification, APTES modification, and alkali + APTES combined modification) on the physicochemical properties of jute were studied, and the strengthening effects of different modified jute fibers on solidification substrate were investigated. The results showed that the addition of jute fiber could improve the mechanical properties of the solidification substrate. Compared with the control group, the modified jute fiber could increase the breaking tension by 13.1 similar to 24.2 N, the impact toughness by 0.85 similar to 2.09 KJ/m(2), and the hardness by 21.6 similar to 35.6 HA. Moreover, the addition of a small amount of jute fiber can effectively improve the mechanical properties and will not affect the growth of plant roots.

A novel thermoset biopolymer was developed from citric acid and glycerol (referred to as Polyglycerol citrate (PGC)) through polycondensation. PGC is a completely biodegradable and water-soluble polymer, but it has poor thermal stability, fire retardant and mechanical properties. To enhance the usability of this material in food packaging, insulations, and other domestic products, its strength was enhanced by reinforcement through jute fiber (JF) which is also biodegradable and environmentally friendly. The thermal stability and fire-retardant properties of the jute/PGC composite were improved by incorporating aluminum trihydride (ATH) particles in it. The concentration of ATH was varied between 0% and 12% to evaluate the optimum composition for improved thermal, mechanical and flammability properties. The strength and modulus of the material were evaluated using a tensile test while the fire retardant and thermal properties were determined using burning tests, cone calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The surface morphology was studied through a scanning electron microscope. The maximum tensile strength was obtained by incorporating 9% ATH in the jute/PGC composite, which is 236% higher than the strength of neat PGC resin. Similarly, the heat release rate of jute/PGC composite was reduced by 17% with the incorporation of ATH particles. Also, the burning rate of jute/PGC was reduced by 72%. Thermal stability was also observed to improve. Possible chemical interaction between the constituents of the composite was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The biodegradation of the composite specimens was validated through a soil burial test.

In order to reveal the effect mechanism of hydrothermal aging on jute fiber (JF)-reinforced waterborne acrylic resin (WAR) composites and broaden the application of JF in the field of composites, JF/WAR composites were prepared in this paper to explore the impact mechanism of hydrothermal aging on the flexural properties and volatile organic compound (VOC) release of composites. The results showed that the atomic kinetic energy increased with increasing temperature at 25 degrees C, 40 degrees C and 60 degrees C, and the diffusion coefficient increased by 476.88 % at 60 degrees C. The weight loss rates were 1.53 %, 2.71 %, and 5.07 %, respectively. The weakening of the CO peaks, O-H peaks as well as C--O proved the degradation of JF and WAR. The flexural strength of the samples decreased to 63.43 MPa, 59.87 MPa, and 42.88 MPa with increasing temperature at 25 degrees C, 40 degrees C and 60 degrees C, respectively, and the flexural modulus was more sensitive to hydrothermal aging. Under short-term hydrothermal aging conditions, the composites all complied with Fick law. Water molecules diffuse, adsorb and dissolve hydrophilic VOC molecules in the pores of the composite materials. Non-Fick diffusion behaviors occurred under long-term hydrothermal aging conditions, and serious damage occurred at the interface of the fiber matrix, with fiber breakage as the main damage mode, and the transmission resistance of VOC will decrease after 1440 mins hydrothermal aging, and the release of VOC will increase significantly.

This study investigated an effective protection strategy for the intermediate period of the bioprotection technique using the jute rope grid. This paper presents the results and interpretation of the experimental study of a model river bank subjected to failure under sudden drawdown conditions and its response after protection with the jute rope grid under the geo-fluvial condition. The model bank was composed of silty clay soil collected from Parlalpur ferry ghat on the left bank of river Ganga, Malda district, West Bengal, India. In this experimental study model, the model river bank with a slope of 1 V:1.5H was prepared in the laboratory considering a linear scale of 1:25 to simulate a prototype river bank in the upper reach of river Ganga in West Bengal, India. The first series of experiments examined the impacts of maximum flood duration, moisture content, and drawdown on the shifting of failure location at the most damaged of the river bank. The second series of experiments were performed for the model river bank protected with a jute rope grid of various mesh grid areas. At critical geo-fluvial conditions, the effect of the jute rope grid having different mesh grid sizes was investigated to improve failure location and reduce settlement depth at the most damaged of the river. This study showed a reduction in the damaged area of the bank from 57.8 to 16.7% and 94.8% reduction of settlement employing the optimum jute mesh grid area of 6.25 cm2.

Geotextiles are widely being used for different soil engineering applications such as filtration, separation, drainage, reinforcement and erosion control. Synthetic geotextiles are mainly produced from the petroleum-derived polymeric materials. The environmental awareness and concern towards sustainability necessitated the application of a more sustainable alternative with natural fibre-based geosynthetics. In this paper, the physical and mechanical properties of five different natural fibres, namely abaca, coir, jute, pineapple and sisal fibres, which could be a suitable candidate for geotextile applications have been analysed and compared. Out of the five different types of the fibres analysed in the present study, the highest average diameter, density and flexural rigidity were found to be for coir and the lowest were found to be for pineapple. It was observed that all the five types of the fibres have the potential for soil reinforcement applications. The unconfined compressive strength of the unreinforced clay was increased by 2, 3.3, 4. 4.1 and 5 times, when reinforced with abaca, coir, pineapple, sisal and jute fibres, respectively. However, jute fibres have low rigidity. The present study concluded that these natural fibres can perform effectively as a raw material for geotextiles. Pineapple fibre absorbs high amount of water and hence may degrade faster comparing to other natural fibres. The fibres which contain high proportion of cellulose possess high tensile strength. For coir fibres, due to the presence of high amount of lignin the life is comparatively high. Thus, blending of the fibres in suitable proportions can complement each other and can lead to the production of better geotextile materials in various applications. Considering the durability, strength and compatibility in blending and spinning, an attempt was made in the present study to develop woven geotextiles from 50% coir:50% sisal blended yarns which are found to be superior in functional characteristics.