Comparison between tensile and damage analysis of hybrid jute/polypropylene needlepunched nonwoven geotextiles produced from untreated and alkali treated jute fibers

The tensile properties of virgin and mechanically damaged samples are investigated for hybrid needlepunched nonwoven geotextiles consisting of untreated Jute/Polypropylene (PP) and alkali treated Jute/PP fibers in defined weight proportions. The damages in nonwovens were induced by two types of mechanical damages (circular hole and horizontal cut) in the center of hybrid nonwovens tested in the cross-machine direction. It was found that the horizontal cut was more detrimental than circular hole in nonwoven geotextiles consisting of jute (both untreated and alkali treated) and polypropylene fibers, specifically when the nonwovens were tested in the cross-machine (preferential) direction. Furthermore, Jute/PP hybrid nonwoven geotextiles were found to be notch-sensitive in nature. The ratio of damaged area of untreated and alkali treated Jute/PP nonwovens at the maximum level of tensile strain to that of the area of corresponding Jute/PP nonwoven determined in the beginning was found to be higher in untreated Jute/PP nonwovens. Similarly, Poisson’s ratio of untreated Jute/PP nonwovens was also found to be higher in comparison to alkali treated Jute/PP nonwoven geotextiles. The initial region of non-linearity of stress–strain curves matched well with that of volumetric deformation for both damaged nonwoven geotextiles. Accordingly, the initial region of stress–strain curves of damaged needlepunched nonwoven can be modeled as a linear region with constant volume deformation.