Lignocellulosic Materials for Geotextile and Geocomposites for Engineering Applications

Cost-effectiveness, environment-friendly nature of lignocellulosic (LC) materials have been utilized for geotechnical engineering for value-added end uses, however, so far the efficacy of such LC materials has not been widely accepted by the engineers due to lack of their long-term durability. Durability of LC materials can be enhanced by altering fibre chemistry or by applying a degradation-resistant surface coating. This chapter will present an extensive overview of such potential processes for enhancement of durability of LC materials followed by a comprehensive discussion on designing and testing parameters of geotextiles and geocomposites using LC materials. A special emphasis has been given to erosion control system and stabilization of slopes using jute fibres as a potential LC material.