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.

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.

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.

This research aims to develop an environment-friendly composite material that possesses enhanced fire retardant (FR), thermal, as well as mechanical characteristics. The aim has been accomplished with the development of a jute/thermoplastic starch (TPS) based bio-composite. The fire retardancy and thermal stability of the jute/TPS composite were enhanced by the incorporation of magnesium carbonate hydroxide pentahydrate (MCHPH). Upon exposure to heat or fire, the MCHPH particles decompose in a two-stage process to yield water vapors and a char layer of MgO and CO2, which restrict access to oxygen and result in flame suppression. Moreover, the main contribution of the article is the improvement of mechanical properties simultaneously with the enhancement in the fire retardant and thermal properties, which have rarely been reported in the literature. The enhancement of mechanical properties is supported by the compatibility of MCHPH particles with jute/TPS. All the composites were developed with a constant 40 % jute fiber content, while the MCHPH concentration varied from 0 % to 9 % by weight. The tensile strength of TPS was enhanced by 595 % with the reinforcement of jute fiber and MCHPH nano-filler. Compatibility between TPS, jute, and MCHPH was discovered through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the fractured surfaces of the composites. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed a decrease in the weight loss of the MCHPH-filled jute/ TPS composites at high temperatures. The vertical burning test also revealed that the composites met the re-quirements for a V-0 rating. The heat release rate of the composites was reduced by 36 % after the addition of MCHPH, as measured by cone calorimetry test. The biodegradability test confirmed the eco-friendly nature of the composites by demonstrating significant weight loss in soil over a 4-weeks period. Thus, the present study provided the basis for the development of a novel green composite with commendable gains in flame resistance, thermal stability, and mechanical robustness.