Coir Geotextiles – An Insight
Coir Geotextiles are manufactured from coir yarn. Coir fiber has the following properties which makes it one of the most unique and environment friendly fibres available to mankind.
Coir fiber is naturally resistant to rot and microbial attacks. It has high lignin and low cellulose content, adding to its durability and resilience. It is capable to withstand compression. Coir has higher tearing strength even if it is wet. Coir fiber is one of the most durable natural fibres. It can withstand huge amount of weight and rubbing, it recovers as soon as weight is removed. Coir fiber is hard and strong with good properties for being spun and woven into matting.
Coir geotextiles are 100% natural bio-degradable fabrics made from coir yarn. They are widely used in landscaping and geotechnical engineering to control soil erosion and promote vegetation.
Bio-Engineering with Coir geotextiles provides natural shoreline stabilisation techniques that can effectively reduce erosion of exposed soil, sand and other sediments from wind/ waves. Also, this technology aids stabilisation of roads, slopes, riverbanks and highways prone to damages of erosion through natural or other causes.
We, at Cocco Origin specializes in providing a range of long-term solutions, through the use of coir geotextiles/other natural coconut fibre products.
Coir geotextiles are very effective for soil erosion and runoff control. Coir Geotextiles reduces the kinetic energy of rain drops thus preventing soil particles from being splashed away. As a ground cover, it reduces the flow velocity of running water by forming check dams with the help of net structure strands of coir geotextile in firm contact with soil, which absorbs the impact of water flow and resist washing down thus keeping the soil intact. The selection of geotextile for a particular slope depends upon the type of soil, condition of soil and vegetation type. If the slope is steep, the mesh size of the geotextile used will be smaller.
Soil bio-engineering with coir geotextiles finds very effective application in unpaved roads, railways, parking and storage areas.
- Weather resistant and resistant to fungal/bacterial decomposition
- Bio-degradable and rate of decomposition is less than other natural fibres
- Retains significant amount of moisture thus regulating soil humidity and temperature aiding healthy growth of vegetation, and preventing soil erosion
- Provides excellent check dam effect to reduce runoff velocity of rain water and minimize chances of soil erosion
- Excellent air and water permeability
- Good drapability over soil surface
- Economical, easy to install and available in plenty
- They do not require UV treatment for field applications
- Completely free from use of chemicals during manufacturing
- Prevent natural soil erosion: They can be used to reinforce the slopes and protect the soil underneath. The high tensile strength of the coir fibres protects steep surface from heavy flows and debris movement. The coir mats dissipate the energy or force acting on the soil during heavy rainfall, by absorbing the force of impact, allowing infiltration of water, improving porosity of soil and reducing the velocity of overland flow.
- Conducive for vegetation growth: it reduces the impact of solar radiation on soil, minimizes water loss due to evaporation, maintains uniform soil temperature and increases soil moisture. Thus, it makes the conditions for growth of vegetation over the soil more conducive, rather than just a slope of sand, which may erode with repetitive rainfall impact.
- Road development: Coir geotextiles when used for road construction reduces the intensity of stress on sub grade. They are used for separating the aggregate soil from the sub grade and in reducing contamination of soil layers. It prevents contamination of base materials allowing more open graded free draining aggregates to be used. It minimizes the disturbance of sub grade and differential settlement of roadway, maintaining pavement integrity and uniformity.
- Soil bioengineering with coir geotextiles - • Separation application in unpaved roads, railways, parking and storage areas • Shore line stabilization • Storm water channels • Slope stabilization in railway and highway cuttings and embankments • Water course protection • Reinforcement of unpaved roads and temporary walls • Providing sub base layer in road pavement • Filtration in road drains and land reclamation • Mud wall reinforcement • Soil stabilization
Coir geotextiles in the form of woven mesh mattings or non-woven stitch bonded blankets are used in engineering applications in geotechnical field.
- Woven Coir Geotextiles (Open weave)
- Non-Woven Coir geotextiles (Non-Woven needle felts)