Mechanical properties and damage analysis of jute/polypropylene hybrid nonwoven geotextiles

Hybrid needlepunched nonwoven geotextiles are prepared in defined weight proportions of jute and polypropylene fibres. Subsequently, a comparison is made between various physical and mechanical properties of hybrid needlepunched nonwoven geotextiles. It was found that 40 wt.% jute was an optimum level in hybrid nonwoven geotextiles that had a comparable tensile strength and higher secant modulus specifically in the cross-machine (preferential) direction in comparison to 100% polypropylene based nonwoven geotextiles. Two types of mechanical damage (i.e., a horizontal cut and a circular hole) were artificially induced in the hybrid nonwoven geotextiles and their notch-sensitive behaviour and the failure mechanisms are reported.