Characteristics of the Natural Fiber Drain Board for Environmentally Friendly Soil Improvement Method

The recent environmental protection issue has diminished the supply of sand for soft ground improvements so much that the prices of sand have shown a sudden rise. Plastic material is one of substitutes for sand material, but plastic is nonperishable and doubtable if it has potential environmental hormone disrupting substances. Moderate-priced natural fiber drain board made with coconut coir and jute filter are in the spotlight recently as an alternative material for sand and plastic drain board etc. Natural fiber drain has not only competitive price but also a characteristic of assimilation into the soils after finishing of its own function. Discharge capacity of the fiber drain board evaluated by triaxial type discharge capacity test was relatively lower than that of plastic drain board. Nevertheless, settlement and pore pressure dissipation behaviors of the fiber drain board and the plastic drain board which were installed in the clayey soil during the composite discharge capacity test were almost similar. It was also found that biodegradation of the fiber drain board was in progress until 18 month after installation in the clayey soil, but they had still enough engineering properties to use at field.

자연친화형 연약지반개량공법을 위한 천연섬유배수재의 특성 연구