REVISED COPY - GEOTEXTILE Oct. 27

EVALUATIVE STUDY ON THE POTENTIAL USE OF WATER HYACINTH
FIBER AS SOIL REINFORCEMENT GEOTEXTILE NET FOR SLOPE

PROTECTION
A Project Study
Presented to the Faculty of Civil Engineering Department
Technological University of the Philippines
Taguig-Campus
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
By:
Arcenio, Delton P.
Brandes, Arvin Mark M.
De Ocampo, Kenny Jay P.
Gega, Joven R.
Mayao, May Fleur D.
September 2021
APPROVAL SHEET
This project study entitled “EVALUATIVE STUDY ON THE POTENTIAL USE
OF WATER HYACINTH FIBER AS SOIL REINFORCEMENT GEOTEXTILE
NET FOR SLOPE PROTECTION”, prepared and submitted by, DELTON P.
ARCENIO, ARVIN MARK M. BRANDES, KENNY JAY P. DE OCAMPO, JOVEN
R. GEGA and MAY FLEUR D. MAYAO, in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is hereby approved
and accepted,
___________________________ ____________________________
Dr. Edgar I. Gay-ya Engr. Janeil Mico D. Panganiban
Technical Adviser Technical Adviser
___________________________ ____________________________
Engr. Aaron Paul I. Carabbacan Engr. Roldan C. Dayson
Member, Advisor Committee Member, Advisor Committee
___________________________
Engr. Jenny B. Siva
Member, Advisor Committee

___________________________ ____________________________
Engr. Marjon C. Gontiñas Engr. Joe Robert Paul G. Lucena
Member, Advisor Committee Member, Advisor Committee
Accepted and approved in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
Degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
____________________________ _____________________
Dr. Emmanuel I. Ferrer Date

Department Head
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, the researchers would like to thank God for guiding us
through this project study, for being there since the beginning, and for blessing
us with guidance, wisdom and strength.
To Dr. Edgar Gay-ya and Engr. Janeil Mico Panganiban, our supervisors for
the unwavering guidance and support, and for being with us in times we do not
know what to do. Their great knowledge and experience have always
encouraged us.
To DOST-PTRI, especially Engr. Romeo Cometa Jr., Mr. Emmanuel Victor
Buniao, and Mr. Eduardo Valentino for open-handedly sharing to us their
knowledge. It is their help and support that makes this study such a wonderful
project, of which we are very thankful.
And lastly, to the people who got our backs, our Parents and Guardians, for
the ever-loving support in every way possible – financially, mentally, and
spiritually. Without their great understanding, sacrifice and encouragement during
this research study, it would be impossible for us to complete our study.

DEDICATION
We humbly dedicate this study to our beloved families, who showered us
with their love, care, understanding, and support that helped us a lot to finish this
study.
We also dedicate this to all the people who have worked hard to help us
complete this project. To our Technical Advisors, relatives, friends and
colleagues, who generously gave their knowledge, guidance, and
encouragement.
Of course to ourselves, thank you for enduring everything. As the
quotation says “Hard work plus Dreams plus Dedication is equal to Success.” We
made it! Congratulations team!
And lastly to our great creator, Almighty God, the author of knowledge and
wisdom who made this possible. Thank You for guiding and protecting us during
this difficult time, and for keeping us healthy and safe. All of these, we offer to
You.
ABSTRACT
Geotextiles are permeable fabrics that can separate, filter, reinforce,
protect, or drain when used in conjunction with soil. It can be classified into
natural and geosynthetics products. Natural geotextiles are biodegradable and
temporary which last 2-5 years.
This study assesses and evaluates a new geotextile net made from a
natural fiber for soil protection. It reveals insight on how to use the water hyacinth
geotextile net as a soil fiber reinforcement and the conventional way of
preventing soil erosion.
Three samples of geotextile net were made from water hyacinth fiber;
geotextile net without treatment, treated with 6% sodium hydroxide solution, and
treated with beeswax. These three samples were tested in DOST-PTRI for its
nominal thickness, mass per unit area, and tensile strength. The effect of
geotextile net in soil mitigation was conducted by researchers by rainfall
simulation and evaluated with 15° and 40° inclinations with three types: bare soil,
water hyacinth fiber geotextile net, and combined water hyacinth geotextile net
and vegetation cover. All three samples of geotextile net were tested to identify
the sediment yield and soil loss reduction efficiency.

Results revealed that the treatment of 6% sodium hydroxide solution and
beeswax enhanced the mechanical properties of the geotextile net. The primary
and interaction impacts of slope geotextile on the many variables studied were
quite significant
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DESCRIPTION PAGES
PRELIMINARY PAGES
Title Page i
Approval Sheet ii
Acknowledgement iv
Dedication v
Abstract vi
Table of Contents viii
List of Figures x
List of Tables xiii
CHAPTER 1: THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction.............................................................................................................i
Background of the Study....................................................................................... ii
Objective of the study...........................................................................................vi
General Objective..............................................................................................vi
Specific Objective..............................................................................................vi
Significance of the study......................................................................................vii
Scope of the Study..............................................................................................viii
i
Delimitation of the Study.....................................................................................viii
CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH FRAMEWORK
Review of Related Literature.................................................................................x
Review of Related Study.....................................................................................xxi
Related Foreign Study........................................................................................xxi
Related Local Study...........................................................................................xxx
Definition of Terms.......................................................................................... xxxiii
Acronyms......................................................................................................... xxxv
Research Paradigm.........................................................................................xxxvi
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Problem Identification....................................................................................xxxviii
Data Gathering and Information......................................................................xxxix
Sourcing of Raw Materials...............................................................................xxxix
Characterization of Materials...........................................................................xxxix
Testing and Evaluation of Geotextile Net...........................................................xlvi
Rainfall Simulation for Soil Erosion Mitigation..................................................xlviii
Design Concept Model..........................................................................................lii
Proposed Site Application....................................................................................liii
ii
CHAPTER 4: PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF
DATA
Description of Water Hyacinth Geotextile Net Samples......................................lxii
Mechanical Specification of Water Hyacinth Geotextile Net Samples................lxv
Rainfall Simulation of Water Hyacinth Geotextile Net........................................lxvi
Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (SLRE)..............................................................lxxii
Correlation of Slope Gradient and Soil Erosion................................................lxxvi
Correlation of Slope Gradient and Sediment Yield..........................................lxxvii
Cost Analysis...................................................................................................lxxvii
Comparison of WH Geotextile From Commercially Used Geotextile...............lxxix
CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary of Findings.......................................................................................lxxxii
Conclusion......................................................................................................lxxxiv
Recommendation........................................................................................... lxxxvi
BIBLIOGRAPHY........................................................................................... lxxxvii
iii
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A TESTING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENTS..............................xci
APPENDIX B RAW MATERIALS......................................................................xciv
APPENDIX C FABRICATION OF GEOTEXTILE NET......................................xcvi
APPENDIX D RAINFALL SIMULATION...........................................................xcix
APPENDIX E TENSILE STRENGTH TEST DATA AND RESULT......................cii
APPENDIX F NOMINAL THICKNESS TEST DATA AND RESULT...................cix
APPENDIX G MASS PER UNIT AREA TEST AND RESULT...........................cxiii
APPENDIX H PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF WATER HYACINTH FIBER......cxvii
APPENDIX I TABLES AND STANDARDS........................................................cxxi
APPENDIX J CONSULTATION SHEET, CERTIFICATION AND RECEIPTS
.......................................................................................................................cxxxiv
APPENDIX K COST ANALYSIS......................................................................cxliv
APPENDIX L COMPUTATION FOR SEDIMENT YIELD AND SOIL LOSS
REDUCTION EFFICIENCY (SLRE)................................................................cxlvii
APPENDIX M CURRICULUM VITAE..................................................................cli
iv
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Moisture absorption of untreated and treated individual WH fibers 26
Figure 2. Effect of NaOH concentration 27
Figure 3. Research Paradigm 37
Figure 4. Flow diagram of the research 38
Figure 5. During being in moist chamber 41
Figure 6. During being in moist chamber 42
Figure 7. Measured by Ohaus MB45 moisture analyzer 42
Figure 8. Process on making water hyacinth geotextile net 43
Figure 9. Process on making water hyacinth geotextile net treated with 6%
sodium hydroxide (NaOH) 45
Figure 10. Process on making a water hyacinth geotextile net treated with
beeswax. 46
Figure 11. Process on conducting rainfall simulation 51
Figure 12. Design concept model of geotextile net 53
Figure 13. Site application of geotextile net 55
Figure 14. Cross section view of application of geotextile net 55
Figure 15. Center line profile of geotextile net showing overlaps 56
Figure 16. Site application of geotextile net with overlaps and cover material 56
Figure 17. Water hyacinth geotextile net 63
Figure 18. Water hyacinth geotextile net treated with 6% sodium hydroxide
(NaOH) 64
Figure 19. Water hyacinth geotextile net treated with beeswax 65
v
Figure 20. Mean sediment yield for wh geotextile net versus the time interval of
runoff collection for 15º 69
Figure 21. Mean sediment yield for wh geotextile net treated with 6% NaOH
versus the time interval of runoff collection for 15º 69
Figure 22. Mean sediment yield for wh geotextile net treated with beeswax
Figure 23. Mean sediment yield for wh geotextile net versus the time interval of
runoff collection for 40º 71
Figure 24. Mean sediment yield for wh geotextile net treated with 6% NaOH
Figure 25. Mean sediment yield for wh geotextile net treated with beeswax
Figure 26. Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (%) means for wh geotextile net versus
the time interval of runoff collection for 15˚ Slope 74
Figure 27. Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (%) means for wh geotextile net treated
with 6% NaOH versus the time interval of runoff collection for 15˚ Slope 74
with beeswax versus the time interval of runoff collection for 15˚ Slope 75
Figure 29. Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (%) means for wh geotextile net versus
the time interval of runoff collection for 40 ˚ Slope 76
with 6% NaOH versus the time interval of runoff collection for 40 ˚ Slope 76
vi
with beeswax versus the time interval of runoff collection for 40 ˚ Slope 77
Figure 32. Cost comparison between different geotextile 79
vii
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Technical data of coir fiber mats 18
Table 2. The chemical compositions of raw water hyacinth fiber 24
Table 3. The tensile strength comparison of water hyacinth fiber using different
extraction methods 25
Table 4. Tensile strength and elongation at break of fabrics after modification
with beeswax 31
Table 5. Technical properties and cost of coir fiber 31
Table 6. Sample specification and methods 42
Table 7. Mass per unit area and thickness of wh geotextile net specimen result 57
Table 8. Tensile Strength (Lengthwise and Crosswise) of WH Geotextile Net
Result 58
Table 9. Mass per unit area and thickness of wh geotextile net treated with
NAOH specimen result 59
treated with NaOH Result 59
Table 11. Mass per unit area and thickness of wh geotextile net treated with
beeswax specimen result 61
treated with Beeswax Result 61
Table 13. Physical specification of water hyacinth geotextile net 63
Table 14. Physical specification of water hyacinth geotextile net treated with 6%
Sodium Hydroxide. 64
viii
Table 15. Physical specification of water hyacinth geotextile net treated with
Beeswax 65
Table 16. Mechanical specification of water hyacinth geotextile net (Tensile
Strength) 66
Table 17. Mechanical specification of water hyacinth geotextile net treated with
6% Sodium Hydroxide (Tensile Strength) 66
Table 18. Mechanical specification of water hyacinth geotextile net treated with
Beeswax (Tensile Strength) 67
Table 19. Sediment yield means at 15˚ Slope 68
Table 20. Sediment yield means at 40˚ Slope 70
Table 21. Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (%) means at 15˚ Slope 73
Table 22. Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (%) means at 40˚ Slope 75
Table 23. Cost developed WH geotextile net 78
Table 24. Cost comparison of geotextile for soil erosion 79
Table 25. Mechanical Properties of Water Hyacinth Geotextile net treated with
NaOH and Beeswax 80
Table 26. CSI1200 80
Table 27. CSI1000 81
Table 28. Summary laboratory test result 83
Table 29. Cost comparison of wh geotextile net 84
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CHAPTER 1
PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
Soil Erosion is a worldwide problem affecting both developed and
developing nations. Within the Philippines, it is considered one of the worst
natural issues. The main reason for the sudden erosion was the continuous
rainfall and typhoon struck on the location. Nowadays, soil erosion occurs at a
faster rate due to increased human activities and the prevalence of climate
change. Thus, prevention and control measures such as slope protection
became essential. Slope protection structures stabilize the slope and provide
security from damage to the surrounding properties and the general public.
At the same time, another problem that the water bodies of Metro Manila
were facing is the rapid growth of water hyacinth that causes a lot of problems
pertaining to its well-being. Water hyacinth can grow so densely that a human
being can walk on it. When it takes hold in rivers and canals it can become so
dense that it forms an herbivorous barrage and can cause damaging and
dangerous flooding. The diseases associated with the presence of aquatic weeds
in tropical developing countries are among those that cause the major public
health problems such as malaria. Water hyacinth can present many problems for
the fisherman. Access to sites becomes difficult when weed infestation is
present, the result of these problems is more often than not a reduction in catch
i
and subsequent loss of livelihood (Group, Intermediate Technology
Development).
As a solution, the use of geotextile net is one of the several slope
protection methods being undertaken. Geotextiles are defined by the Department
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as “fabrics for use in subsurface
drainage, hydraulic filter, erosion control, sediment control, pavement structures
as a waterproofing and stress relieving membrane, and as a permeable
separator to prevent mixing of dissimilar materials”. Among these several fields
of application, the erosion control properties of geotextile are the sole focus of
this study.
Generally, geotextiles are classified into natural and synthetic products.
Natural geotextiles are biodegradable and are therefore temporary and would
last for about 2 to 5 years depending on the type of material. On the other hand,
synthetic geotextiles are made from polymeric materials and are relatively
permanent due to their non-biodegradability. They could last for around 20 years
or more (Moore et al., 2003). In this paper, the researchers are challenged to
examine the potential of water hyacinth fiber as a geotextile net for slope
protection.
ii
Background of the Study
The increased demand for agricultural goods promotes the conversion of
woods and grasslands to farm fields and pastures. Many of these plants will
potentially increase soil erosion beyond the soil's capacity to support itself due to
the transition to agriculture from natural vegetation. Agriculture is believed to be
responsible for 80% of soil erosion in Europe, and scientists believe that 40% of
soils in Europe have already been destroyed as a result of human activities
(Agriculture & Soil Degradation, 2019).
In the Philippines, the arrival of the rainy season every year presents a
major problem. Floods, landslides, and soil erosion threaten dozens of towns,
causing chaos on transportation systems and manufacturing sites. Soil erosion is
a major challenge to the long-term productivity of agricultural systems in the
Philippines, as it is in many other crop production parts of the developing world,
but the underlying causes are complicated and poorly known.
Unprotected natural or constructed earthen slopes are a major point
source erosion problem that can result in serious sediment flows to lower
catchment sites, contamination of rivers and streams, water quality reduction,
slope failure and slippage that often result in landslides, economic damage to
property, and loss of life. Slope protection structures help to stabilize the slope
and can last a lifetime in protecting surrounding properties from damage and
people from injury if they are maintained in a good and functional condition at all
times.
iii
Slope protection system may comprise one or a combination of the slope
surface protection or the slope protection structure, including reinforced concrete
(RC) earth retaining wall, rubble / brick wall, bored-pile wall, diaphragm wall,
tieback wall made of RC or steel sheet pile, etc.
To ensure the safety of the traveling public, the Department of Public
Works and Highways has completed four slope protection projects on roads in
various towns throughout Aklan Province. According to Secretary Mark A. Villar,
the retaining walls along Aklan West Road in Nabas and Malay are placed in
areas where soil erosion occurs frequently, particularly during rainy days.
Reblocking and upgrading the two-lane road, as well as the installation of a
concrete-lined ditch, are among the completed slope protection measures along
Aklan West Road (Slope Protection Work Ensures Safer Roads in Aklan, 2021)
Properly designed slope protection and stabilization has to include two
components: a vegetational-biological and a mechanical-structural component.
For maximum effect, both components must be integrally planned prior to road
construction. Properly designed and planted vegetative covers play a significant
role in preventing surface erosion and shallow mass failures. The function of root
systems of live plants on shallow soils on steep slopes is that of a binder for
individual soil particles or aggregates.
Roadside slope failures, often the result of weather events, can block
roads, damage pavement and pose numerous safety hazards. While there is no
single method to repair and stabilize all slopes, several methods have proven
iv
effective, including improving drainage, changing the geometry of the slope, and
reinforcing the soil.
Slope stability is quantified by a factor of safety—the ratio of the soils in
situ shear strength to the shear strength required for equilibrium along a given
potential failure surface. To stabilize a slope, the factor of safety must be
increased, either by introducing stabilizing forces (increasing capacity) or limiting
driving forces (decreasing demand). Slopes can be stabilized by adding a
surface cover to the slope, excavating and changing (or regrading) the slope
geometry, adding support structures to reinforce the slope or using drainage to
control the groundwater in slope material.
It is necessary to protect the surface of earth structures in order to
sufficiently reduce the loss of soil. One of the methods of protection against area
erosion is vegetation, whose roots counteract the destruction of surface soil. The
grass surface is often a sufficient protection. Geosynthetic materials are widely
used to increase stability in the embankment by two functions: tensile
reinforcement and as a drainage element (Long, 1996).
The majority of geosynthetics are polymeric. In recent years,
biodegradable reinforcing materials have found increasing applications in
geotechnical engineering. These renewable materials made from natural fibers
can be manufactured into woven geotextiles and generally classified as Limited
Life Geosynthetics (LLGs). The LLGs are reinforcing fabrics that are only
required to perform short-term applications in geotechnical engineering such as
v
temporary roads over soft ground as basal embankment reinforcement (Sarsby,
2006)
The natural fibers used for the erosion control application was water
hyacinth. These natural fibers are widely used in ropes, twines, rugs, mats,
mattresses, and handcrafted articles. However, large quantities of these
economic and renewable resources are still underutilized. In considering these
fibers for geotextiles, plain weaving patterns of natural fiber were used.
Objective of the study
General Objective
The study’s primary objective is to evaluate the potential use of water
hyacinth fiber as a soil fiber reinforcement geotextile net for slope protection.
Specific Objective
In order to attain the general objective of the study, specific objectives are
set to determine the following:
1. To ascertain the outcomes of the water hyacinth geotextile net
properties in terms of:
● Mass Per Unit Area
● Thickness
● Tensile Strength
vi
2. To determine if the chemical compound Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) will
affect the characteristics and efficacy of water hyacinth fiber as a
geotextile net.
3. To determine if beeswax will affect the characteristics and efficacy of
water hyacinth fiber as a geotextile net.
4. To determine what will be the best treatment for water hyacinth
geotextile net.
5. To determine whether water hyacinth geotextile net is a better
alternative to commercially available geotextile net in terms of:
● Properties e.g., Tensile Strength, Mass per Unit Area, and
Thickness
● Cost
6. To evaluate the effect of water hyacinth geotextile net and vegetation
cover in sediment yield, and Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (SLRE).
Significance of the study
This study will be beneficial with the following:
Environment
This study contributes to the proper mitigation of water hyacinth or
lessen its negative effects on the water bodies affected and maintain the
strength capacity/integrity of earth structure prone to soil degradation.
vii
Local Communities
The result of this study introduces an alternative way of getting
income for the masses. The study may create an enormous effect on
water activities due to reducing water hyacinth and promoting livelihood
like fishing and boating. It may provide safety/protection for those
individuals who reside on an unlevelled terrain.
Civil Engineering Industry
This study contributes to a new and economical raw material in the
civil engineering industry. Thus, innovation on raw materials and
compatibility of new products is profitable in any aspect taken.
Researchers
The result of this study reveals insights on the use of water
hyacinth as soil fiber reinforcement and on the conventional way of
preventing soil erosion. This study can be a guideline for future references
and research.
Scope of the Study
1. The study focused on the production of geotextile nets derived from water
hyacinth stalks.
2. The geotextile net that was made from water hyacinth fiber will undergo
several tests in terms of:
● Mass Per Unit Area
viii
● Thickness
● Tensile Strength
3. Comparison of three samples of geotextile net with different variables was
conducted to attain the best result of the three samples.
Delimitation of the Study
The study focused on the characteristics of the water hyacinth geotextile
net and its capability as a slope protection. Most of the tests for the geotextile net
was conducted in the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Textile
Research Institute since the availability of the equipment to be used in testing the
geotextile net was only present at DOST-PTRI, thus, biodegradation, chemical
resistance, puncture strength, and other tests were not conducted. The actual
application of geotextile net to specific slope location and the intensity of the
rainfall was not specified due to the unavailability of the Rainfall Apparatus at the
Department of Public Works and Highways- Flood Control & Sabo Engineering
Center. As it has fixed artificial rainfall, the produced rainfall simulator will not be
suitable for inclinations beyond 41 degrees. Soil Tests and hydroseeding of
vegetation is also deficient. Given the time frame for this study, field tests for
large scale site soil erosion such as filtration and hydraulic conductivity were not
conducted.
ix
CHAPTER 2
RESEARCH FRAMEWORK OF THE STUDY
This chapter presents a review of related literature and studies that have
been conducted and claimed to enhance the researchers’ knowledge for the
present study. This chapter protrudes on the application of geotextile, natural
fibers and their properties, and water hyacinth fiber application and properties.
This chapter will also present the research paradigm, the definition of terms, and
the acronyms to better understand the present study better.
x
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Application of Geotextile
There are no limitations in the uses of geotextile in civil engineering in
particular. The mode of operation of a geotextile in any application: six discrete
functions define separation, filtration, drainage, reinforcement, sealing, and
protection. Depending on the application the geotextile performs one or more of
these functions simultaneously.
In the Philippines, the use of geotextiles is one of the several slope
protection methods being undertaken. Geotextiles are defined by the Department
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as “fabrics for use in subsurface
drainage, hydraulic filter, erosion control, sediment control, pavement structures
as a waterproofing and stress relieving membrane, and as a permeable
separator to prevent mixing of dissimilar materials”. Among these several fields
of application, the erosion control properties and vegetation management of
geotextiles are the main focus of the researchers’ study.
In addition to the characteristics of geotextiles, the identification and
application of geotextiles depends on soil type, soil composition, moisture
content, liquid limits, plasticity index, bulk density, soil pH, iron/calcium content,
clay/silt and sand composition, land sloping and hydraulic action, etc. To control
the disintegration, geotextiles have to be compatible with the application location,
which has great drapability, makes strides soil fertility, and be naturally and
xi
biologically neighborly. They can, at that point, intercept rainfall and runoff and
diminish raindrop effect, wind and runoff velocities. They can moreover be
utilized to store infiltrate surface water, and on the off chance that they have the
appropriate holding capacity they can store water (Abdullah, 2008).
Soil Erosion and Slope Protection
Soil erosion is a natural process of detaching and transporting soil by wind
or surface water due to a lack of or insufficient vegetative cover. In the case of
wind erosion, detachment and transportation are both part of the same process,
whereas in the case of water erosion, detachment is conducted by rain splash
and transportation is accomplished by surface flow. During the rainy season, a
steady stream of rainwater falls from the sky. The significance of vegetation in
maintaining a balance between soil development and erosion is critical. In
general, vegetation reduces the impact of wind and provides surface roughness,
slowing runoff velocity in surface streams. By increasing soil porosity and
permeability, the root system strengthens the soil and aids water penetration.
Furthermore, natural vegetation promotes self-sufficiency. Geotextiles, as soil
stabilization erosion control solutions, reduce the impact of erosion on steep,
newly created soil slopes caused by heavy rainfall and soil washing. They absorb
or retain as much water as possible to reduce the damaging effects of surface
flow and protect the soil from erosion (A.N., 2016).
In terms of controlling surface soil erosion, construction of embankment on
weak soil, surface separation, drainage, and reinforcement on road pavement
and structural foundation, jute geotextiles have high efficiency rate. Chemical
xii
treatment is used in enhancing the durability of the natural geotextile. After the
lifespan of natural geotextile, the degradation of it will become a part of the soil
vegetation and does not affect the pollution (Datta, 2007).
In addition, Geotextile was used as tensile reinforcement and filter to
stabilized slopes or embankments. The geotextile is usually placed in horizontal
layers within the slope. It is placed along with the slope cutting across potential
sliding surfaces in the soil. The geotextile will reduce the pore water pressure
within the slopes during the rainy season, thereby increasing the shear strength.
The geotextile also acts as a filter that obstructs the soil migration or sometimes
called the internal erosion within the slope. The geotextile reinforces the soil
along potential sliding zones or planes. All said, it will gain in the stability of the
slope of the soil.
In construction of geotextile on site, for low structures within 2 meters
below and having 70 degrees to 90 degrees inclination, the use of formwork is
advisable. The advantage is ease in construction but has disadvantages in terms
of costs and large spaces (Niroumand et al., 2012).
Installation of geotextile for slope protection
According to the “Technical Manual on Engineering Use of Geotextile” by the
Departments of the Army and the Air Force, there are 4 steps of geotextile
installation:
1. Site preparation. The surface should be cleared of vegetation, large
stones, limbs, stumps, trees, brush, roots, and other debris before grading
xiii
to a relatively smooth plane free of obstructions, depressions, and soft
pockets of materials.
2. Placement of geotextiles. The geotextile is unrolled directly on the
leveled soil surface. The geotextile should be laid loosely, with no tension,
folds, or wrinkles. The geotextile should be placed vertically down the
slope when used for wave attack or cut and fill slope protection. To
prevent uplift or undermining, the geotextile should be anchored at both
ends.
3. Overlaps, seams, and securing pins. Adjacent geotextile strips should
overlap by at least 12 inches along the edges and at the ends of rolls.
Prior to applying the cover material, geotextiles can be secured to the
slope with securing pins. These pins with washers should be inserted
through both strips of the overlapped geotextile along a line passing
through the overlap's midpoint.
4. Placement of cover material. For sloped surfaces, the cover stone or
riprap should be placed from the bottom of the slope upward, preferably
from the center outward, to limit any partial movement of soil caused by
sliding.
According to DPWH Standards for Geotextiles, a geotextile must be
placed and anchored on a smooth graded surface approved by the Engineer
in order to be considered as soil erosion control material. The geotextile must
be installed in such a way that the positioning of overlaying components does
not stretch or tear the fabric significantly.
xiv
Types of Geotextiles
According to Leão, et.al (2012), from an article in the book “Natural Fibers for
Geotextiles”, there are two main groups of geotextiles based on their constituent
elements (fiber) and structure.
1. Basic Woven– it is used in applications requiring higher strength and
structural stability than is obtainable with non-woven geotextiles. In
manufacturing a geotextile fabric, it is particularly desirable to have
controlled strength and standard elongation, with high tear resistance and
proper filtration also being highly desirable.
2. Non-woven– It is typically used in applications that require greater
filtration capability than woven geotextiles, as well as large widths.
Geotextiles are either woven or non-woven fabrics used in foundations of
soils, rock, earth, or other geotechnical material as an integral part of a
manufactured project, structure, or system. They are also known as civil
engineering fabrics, erosion control cloths, filter fabrics, or support membranes
which are used in foundations of structures to prevent wind and water erosion of
the soil and achieve structural stability (Rico, 2015).
Natural Fibers
According to research, natural fibers as a substitute for human-made fiber
in fiber-reinforced composites have improved and opened up new technological
possibilities. Low density, low cost, and biodegradability are all benefits of natural
fibers but some problems need to be addressed, where two main disadvantages
xv
in composites are low fiber-matrix compatibility and a high moisture sorption rate.
As a result, chemical treatments can be used to change the properties of natural
fibers. Some chemicals, such as sodium hydroxide, silane, acetic acid, acrylic
acid, malleated coupling agents, isocyanates, potassium permanganate, and
peroxide, are known to ease adhesion by chemically coupling the adhesive to the
content, and also can reduce fiber water absorption. The multiple fiber
manipulation methods discussed in this paper have differing degrees of
effectiveness in inducing matrix-fiber adhesion. Nonetheless, most chemical
treatments have increased fiber strength, fiber fitness, and fiber–matrix adhesion
in natural fiber reinforced composites to differing degrees of effectiveness (Li et
al.,2007).
Properties of Natural Fibers
There are 3 major properties of Natural Fibers which correspond as a whole
and after extraction (Sathishkumar et al., 2013).
1. Physical Properties. The physical properties of the dried natural fibers,
such as diameter or cross-sectional area, and density, were studied by
cutting them into different lengths. The weight of natural fiber-reinforced
composites is determined by their physical density.
2. Chemical Composition. Various natural fibers have different chemical
compositions, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, wax, ash, pectin,
and moisture content. The percentage of chemical compositions in fiber is
determined by the location of plant growth, plant growth rate, and plant
xvi
tissue. The amount of cellulose in a plant and its fibers determined its
strength and stiffness.
3. Mechanical Properties. After calculating the cross-sectional area and
diameter of natural fibers, mechanical properties such as tensile strength,
modulus, and elongation at breaks were determined.
3.1. Tensile Strength. Natural plant fibers possess high strength and
stiffness. Cellulose fibrils in all-natural plant fibers mostly have a diameter
of about 10 to 30 nm, and are made up of 30 to 100 cellulose molecules in
an extended chain conformation, and provide mechanical strength to the
fiber.
3.2. Elongation at break (%). Elongation at break, also known as fracture
strain, is the ratio between changed length and initial length after
breakage of the test specimen. It expresses the capability of natural plant
fiber to resist changes of shape without crack formation (Petroudy, 2017).
Natural Fibers as Geotextiles
Natural fibers can be modified to woven geotextiles called “Limited Life
Geotextiles” which are only required to perform a short-term application. The
geotextile absorbs water, retains soil particles, and protects bare ground from the
sun, rain, and wind. Within 2-3 years, vegetation establishes itself at the
geotextile's apertures. The results show a positive relationship between tensile
strength and fiber length; the longer the fiber length, the higher the tensile
strength. It is also worth noting that when the fibers are wet, their tensile strength
xvii
and elongation increase. The combination of soil and water hyacinth woven LLGs
reduced the impact of raindrops on the soil's surface, acting as a barrier between
the rain and the soil, delaying the development of runoff and reducing soil loss by
70% (Lowland Technology International, 2016).
According to East Coast Erosion Control, one of their products is Coconut
fiber erosion control mat. Coir Mats are woven with coir fiber yarns and provide
strength, environmental friendliness, and functional longevity of more than three
years.
Material : Coconut Fiber
Roll Size Index Value Properties
Width: 2m Property Test Method Value
Length: 50m Mass/ Unit Area ASTM D5261 409.0 g/m2
Area: 100m2 Thickness ASTMD 5199 6.1 mm
Weight+10% 475g/m2 Light Penetration ASTM D6567 38%
ASTM D4595/
Dry Tensile Strength-MD ASTM D6818* 11.2 kN/m
ASTM D4595/
Design Value Properties Dry Elongation -MD ASTM D6818* 28%
xviii
ASTM D4595/
Property Dry Tensile Strength-TD ASTM D6818* 10.9 kN/m
ASTM D4595/
Shear Stress 142 Pa Dry Elongation -TD ASTM D6818* 27%
Velocity 2.44 m/s Wet Tensile Strength-MD ASTM D4595 10.0 kN/m
C Factor 0.003 Wet Elongation-MD ASTM D4595 30%
Open Area-
Calculated 63% Wet Tensile Strength-TD ASTM D4595 9.5 kN/m
1 * (25 mm)
x 1/
Net Opening (25mm) Wet Elongation-TD ASTM D4595 30%
*Both ASTM D4595 and D6818 are used to test tensile strength. ASTM D6818 is preferred
in erosion control applications
Primary Usage
Slopes 2:01 1:01 >1:1
Table 1. Technical data of coir fiber mats
Water Hyacinth Fiber
Harvesting
As stated by Mario Montejo, Secretary of DOST, in addressing the
increasing number of water hyacinth clogging the metro waterways and
elsewhere, the DOST has just unveiled its locally-developed solution: a machine
that scoops up the plants to put them in good use. Developed by engineers from
the Department of Science and Technology’s Metals Industry Research and
Development Center (DOST-MIRDC), the machine, called the Water Hyacinth
Harvester, can collect and hold up to 25 kilograms of water hyacinth per load.
When complete, the harvester discharges the collected plants to a dumping site
or an assisting barge.
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Common Extraction
Decortication is the mechanical extraction of fibers (stripping the fiber from
its sheath). Decortication, a typical flax processing method, enables for the
mechanical separation of fiber from plant stems without the need for retting.
Because it is poorly divided, has a high linear mass, and contains a high amount
of contaminants, the one-type fibre created in this technique is of very low
quality.
Alkaline Treatment
Alkaline treatment or mercerization is one of the most common chemical
treatments of natural fibers. The breaking of hydrogen bonding in the network
structure, which increases surface roughness, is the most significant alteration
caused by alkaline treatment. This treatment eliminates a portion of the lignin,
wax, and oils that cover the fiber cell wall's external surface, depolymerizes
cellulose, and exposes the short-length crystallites. Alkaline treatment enhances
surface roughness of the fiber, which improves mechanical interlocking; and
increases the amount of cellulose exposed on the fiber surface, which has a
lasting effect on the mechanical characteristics of the fiber especially on strength
and stiffness.
Beeswax Treatment
Beeswax is used to make wax foundations, and it also has a variety of
commercial uses, such as candle manufacturing, metal castings, and modeling,
as well as cosmetics, food processing, industrial technologies, textiles, rope
preservation, varnishes, and polishes. Melting and chemical extraction are the
xx
two ways for extracting wax, with melting being more common because chemical
extraction by solvent is only practical for small-scale wax manufacturing, such as
in the laboratory. Another drawback of chemical extraction is that it can extract
organic wax impurities along with the wax. Wax can be melted in a variety of
ways, including with hot water, steam, electricity, or solar power. Beekeepers, on
the other hand, can make raw beeswax by heating it in the sun 23 times a day.
This is a simple and inexpensive way to make high-quality wax.
It retains the active components longer and releases them slowly when
coupled with therapeutic medications or dangerous baits. It guards against
corrosion and abrasion, as well as moisture loss from the environment.
Pure beeswax is used in addition. This step can be skipped, but if you
want a really soft, yet crisp and swift rope that is slippery with ultra-low friction
and has a long-life span, you can now add a few extra grams of pure beeswax to
each rope by running it through your palm between two blocks of wax. Place the
ropes in the oven for another 30 minutes at 70 degrees Celsius to melt and
distribute the wax uniformly on the rope surface, as well as to allow it to
penetrate a little deeper into the rope. The melting point of pure beeswax is
around 66 degrees Celsius. Then, after it's been waxed and burned, I polish the
rope one last time with a clean and soft cotton towel to create a really smooth,
fast, and shiny surface.
xxi
REVIEW OF RELATED STUDY
RELATED FOREIGN STUDY
Natural Fibers as Geotextiles
In the study conducted by the group of Bhattacharyya (2008) entitled
“Effects of Palm-mat Geotextiles on the Conservation of Loamy Sand Soils in
East Shropshire, UK”, the use of geotextile as an innovative approach to
reducing the problem in soil erosion have been investigated through measuring
runoff, soil loss and soil splash on humid temperate soils to test its effectiveness.
Soil splash was measured by collecting splashed particles in a centrally
positioned trap in each plot, and the results suggest that palm-mat geotextile is
effective in reducing splash erosion. Geotextile expands to the soil surfaces that
enhance its drapability if it’s wet and prevents runoff erosion, it may also improve
soil organic matter and, thus, improve topsoil structure and aggregate stability,
thereby decreasing splash erosion. It was investigated that aside from splash
erosion, geotextile netting preserved the soil and seeds in place increased
chances of germination and vegetation growth. Moreover, the net of geotextiles
reduced water flow and increased infiltration with their saturation. The results of
the use of geotextiles constructed from palm leaf reduced soil splash height by
31% and splash erosion by 50%. Results from the runoff experiment suggest that
application of palm-mat geotextiles as 1m protective buffer strips on bare soil
reduced runoff by 36% and soil erosion by 57%. Though total soil loss in the
geotextile completely covered plots was 16% less than the buffer zone plots, the
xxii
runoff volume from the completely covered plots was 94% more than that of the
buffer zone plots.
In the study conducted by Vishnudaset et al. (2008) about “Coir Geotextile
for Slope Stabilization and Cultivation – A Case Study in a Highland Region of
Kerala, South India”, they discovered that after 9 months of using coir geotextile
for slope stabilization, coir retained 19% of the strength of a fresh sample. After 7
months, the tensile strength of geotextiles was reduced by approximately 70%.
By that time, coir geotextile with established grass vegetation (CGG) and even
coir geotextile without vegetation (CG) appeared to be a viable erosion control
measure, whereas erosion continued on the control plots (CP). As a result, the
degradation of the geotextile over time had no effect on the effectiveness of coir
geotextiles as an erosion control measure.
In the study conducted by the group of Mohammad Gharehzadeh Shirazi
(2020) entitled “Sustainable Soil Bearing Capacity Improvement Using Natural
Limited Life Geotextile Reinforcement—A Review'', the incorporation of natural
geotextiles as a geotechnical reinforcement result in a significant increase in the
soil establishment's bearing capacity. When compared to synthetic geotextiles,
the use of limited life geotextiles for improving short-term bearing capacity is
more effective and sustainable. Because of their low cost, bio-based geotextiles
are widely used in geotechnical applications. Surface modification techniques
with an alkali are the most effective means of improving the durability properties.
In the study conducted by the group of Hongyuan Liu (2016) entitled
“Effectiveness of Geotextiles for Road Slope Protection under Simulated
xxiii
Rainfall”, the findings in the study both benefit the slope and runoff protection.
Geotextiles significantly affect the slope protection and runoff but not the smaller
runoff events which are less than 1.15 mm. It is also concluded that geotextiles
are more efficient in application on slope protection rather than in runoff events.
In proportionality, the reduction of runoff and soil erosion decreased with
increasing rainfall intensity and was most successful under moderate rainfall
intensity levels.
Non-woven geotextiles were most suitable in decreasing runoff and were
effective in reducing soil erosion under minimum rainfall intensity. The result
showed that non-woven geotextiles have limited use when rainfall intensity
increases in time. The higher the rainfall intensity and longer time, the lower the
geotextile can adapt to soil erosion and runoff events.
Water Hyacinth Fibers
In the study conducted by the group of Chansakorn (2018) entitled
“Effects of Different Extraction Methods on Some Properties of Water Hyacinth
Fiber”, different properties of water hyacinth fibers were tested including physical,
Chemical, and tensile strength
xxiv
Composition Pre-fermented fiber (%)
Cell wall (neutral detergent fiber) 72.17
Lignocelluloses (acid detergent fiber)

52.63
Lignin (acid detergent lignin)

2.25
Table 2. The
chemical
Hemicelluloses 19.54
Cellulose 50.38
compositions of raw water hyacinth fiber
The chemical structure of the result shown in Table 2 is presented.
Different chemical analyses of water hyacinths, on the other hand, revealed the
following results: 62.3% cell wall, 29.0% lignocelluloses, 33.4% hemicellulose,
9.27% lignin, and 19.5% cellulose (Gunnarsson & Petersen, 2007).In contrast,
for comparison with the chemical compositions of other fibers, it has been found
that jute fiber is a cellulose fiber comprising 12–13% lignin, 13.6–20.4%
hemicellulose, and 61–71.5% cellulose. In addition, sisal fiber is made up of 8.0–
11.0% lignin, 10.0–14.2% hemicellulose, and 67–78% cellulose (Kabir et al.,
2012).
Extraction Tensile Standard Coefficient Elongation Standard Coefficient

Methods Strength Deviation of (%) Deviation of
(grams- Variation Variation
force per
xxv
denier)
Mechanical
108.62 70.99 121.11 7.72 5.98 77.48
Extraction
Chemical
112.76 72.51 64.30 3.07 1.28 41.88
Extraction
Mechanical and
Chemical 109.14 66.19 60.65 6.33 6.39 100.96
Extraction
Natural Alkali
110.14 72.12 58.63 5.89 5.30 89.28
Extraction
Retting
109.54 68.20 59.32 6.65 6.10 94.49
Extraction
Boiled
115.26 58.51 50.76 2.51 0.96 38.38
Extraction
Table 3. The tensile strength comparison of water hyacinth fiber using different extraction
methods
As result shown in Table 3, the boiling method of fiber processing resulted
in the highest tensile strength, at 115.26 (gf/den), followed by 112.76 (gf/den) for
chemical extraction, 109.14 (gf/den) for mechanical extraction, and 58.62
(gf/den) for mechanical and chemical extraction. The mechanical extraction
elongation was averaged at 7.72%, followed by the mechanical and chemical
extraction, at 6.33% (Bourahli & Osmani, 2013).
xxvi
In the study conducted by the group of H. Abral (2014) entitled
“Mechanical Properties of Water Hyacinth Fibers – Polyester Composites Before
and After Immersion in Water”, result shown in Figure 1 a-c, the comparison of
moisture absorption of the untreated and treated WH fibers in difference
measuring methods. The WH fibers were immersed in various alkali
concentrations of 5%, 7.5%, and 10%, respectively.
Figure 1. Moisture absorption of untreated and treated individual WH fibers
(a) while in a moist chamber. The fibers were boiled for 3 hours before alkalization. Measuring by using
conventional method, (b) during in a moist chamber. The Fibers were not boiled. Measuring by using
conventional methods, and (c) measured by Ohaus MB45 moisture analyzer. The fibers were boiled for 3
hours before alkalization
According to the findings, the high moisture absorption of the treated WH
fibers may be due to a physical effect occurring in the WH fibers' cell wall, which
leaves much more nano and micro hollow cavities, porosities, and crevices that
xxvii
are strongly responsible for absorbing moisture and water. The moisture
absorption of WH Fibers, whether boiled or unboiled, did not decrease after
treatment with different alkali concentrations. Moisture absorption differs little
between treatments, indicating that alkali concentrations have no effect on the
moisture absorption of the WH fibers tested.
In the study entitled ”Alkali Treatment of Fan Palm Natural Fibers for Use
in Fiber Reinforced Concrete”, it has been exhibited that the treatment that
produces the higher tensile strength with the required roughness was obtained
by immersing the fibers in a 4 % sodium hydroxide solution for 24 hours. The
treatment technique had no effect on the modulus of elasticity or the percentage
of elongation. Furthermore, the removal of the weak surface layers resulted in a
reduction in the dimensions of the fibers after treatment. However, using high
concentrations and long durations of treatments caused serious deterioration to
the fiber particles themselves, as evidenced by the significant decrease in tensile
strength of the treated fibers (Machaka, 2014).
Figure 2. Effect of NaOH concentration
xxviii
In the study conducted by the group of (Mohd Suhairil Meon, 2012)
“Improving Tensile Properties of Kenaf Fibers Treated with Sodium Hydroxide,”
the experiment on kenaf short fibers compounded with maleated polyethylene
(MAPP) and maleated polypropylene (MAPE) was a success. In thermosets and
thermoplastic composites, Kenaf has potential as a reinforced fiber. This project
used short Kenaf fiber as the primary material to create a new form of composite.
The fiber is soaked for a day in 3%, 6%, and 9% sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and
then dried for 24 hours at 80°C. The short Kenaf used has a weight of 100
grams. Two sets of combinations were created: kenaf fiber and MAPP, and kenaf
fiber and MAPE. The manufacturing process begins with the mixture being put
into the mold and compacted until the mold is perfectly filled. It took one to two
hours for the mixture to dry completely. After that, the specimens were chopped
into conventional dimensions in accordance with ISO 5275. The composites'
matrix-filler interaction and tensile characteristics were improved using MAPP
and MAPE. The tensile characteristics of treated kenaf fibers were shown to be
greatly improved when compared to untreated kenaf fibers, especially at the
optimal level of 6% NaOH.
In the study conducted by the group of (Mujahid Khan, 2019) “Effect of
NaOH treatment on mechanical strength of banana/epoxy laminates,” the goal of
this study is to find out how alkali treatment affects the mechanical properties of
banana fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. In order to determine the proportion
of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in the treatment solution, four batches of samples
were prepared (0%, 2.5%, 4.5 %, and 6.5%). Later, mechanical testing like
xxix
tensile, compressive and compressive shear tests were performed on the
manufactured composite specimens to see how the alkali treatment affected the
mechanical properties. According to test results, the fiber treatment improved all
of the mechanical qualities. Furthermore, when compared to the untreated
sample, the samples made from fiber treated with 4.5% NaOH solution had the
highest tensile and compressive strength, with an overall increase of 24.2% and
34.8% in tensile and compressive strength, respectively. The sample obtained
from the fiber treated with 6.5% NaOH solution shows a linear increase in
interlaminar strength with a maximum value of 25.4 N/mm2. The fiber flattening
process which increases the bonding surface at the interface is responsible for
this rise.
In addition, the group of P. Methacanon (2010) conducted an experiment
entitled “Properties and potential application of the selected natural fibers as
limited life geotextiles”. In this experiment, the natural fibers used were water
hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), reed (Phragmites vulgaris), roselle or Thai kenaf
(Hibiscus sabdariffa) and sisal (Agave sisalana Perr.). The analyses and
evaluation conducted were done according to fiber composition (ASTM method E
1755-01), mechanical properties (Tensile Strength ASTM), accelerated
weathering test (ASTM G154-04), and moisture absorption (sun drying over a
period of time). Moisture content was determined using an oven at 105 degrees
Celsius for 24 hours. The result protrudes that water hyacinth fiber composition is
twice as much compared to other natural fiber. Thus, it suggests that water
hyacinth could possess higher moisture sorption and biodegradation than other
xxx
natural fibers. In terms of moisture absorption, at 97% RH (Relative Humidity),
moisture absorption of water hyacinth dramatically increased almost 8 times
higher than that at 75% RH while the moisture absorption of other fibers
increased approximately 4 times. In addition, the remarkable amounts of a hollow
cavity in water hyacinth fiber greatly contributed to its highest water absorption.
For Tensile strength, there is a notable difference between wet yarn and dry
yarn, in which wet yarn has higher elongation break and tensile strength than dry
yarn. Specifically, water hyacinth yarn showed a remarkable increase in
elongation at a wet state due to numerous voids in its structure and consequently
the highest water absorption capacity as previously described. The tensile
strength of water hyacinth fiber is approximately 18-33MPa. The accelerated
weathering test results presumed that the studied fibers except sisal would stay
at least 1-year in the outdoor condition. In addition, it is worth noting that one of
the most important weaknesses of natural products is their quick
biodegradability.
In the study conducted by the group of Justyna Szulc entitled “Beeswax-
Modified Textiles: Method of Preparation and Assessment of Antimicrobial
Properties”, results shown that the tensile strength of the polyester/cotton/viscose
blended fabric (Fabric 1) reduced by less than 4% after finishing, whereas the
tensile strength of the polyester sample (Fabric 2) declined by only around 2%.
However, both the modified and control textiles showed statistically
significant differences.
xxxi
Table 4. Tensile strength and elongation at break of fabrics after modification with beeswax
RELATED LOCAL STUDY
In the study conducted by the group of Tanchuling (2017) from
Department of Civil Engineering of University of the Philippines-Diliman entitled
“Experimental Studies to Measure Sediment Yield in Coco-fiber Reinforced
Slopes”, they used three different coir-fiber supplied by the Soriano Multi-
Purpose Fiber Corporation (SMPFC). The technical properties of the three
different coir-fiber were stated in Table 5.
Property S400 S700 SFC
Color Brown Brown Brown
Mass per Unit

400 700 1790
Area (g/m²)
Thickness, mm 8.17 8.08 17.81
Breaking Force,
N
Machine
Direction 534 388 57
Cross - Machine
366 427 30
Direction
Cost Php Php 45.00 Php 45.00

45.00 per per square per square
xxxii
square meter meter
meter
Table 5. Technical properties and cost of coir fiber
The study conducted by the group of Celis (2017) entitled “Viability of
Pineapple Leaves as an Alternative Natural Fiber Geotextile'' revealed that
pineapple leaves as a natural fiber for the production of geotextiles has a high
efficiency rate. Hand spinning is used in the manufacturing process. The
pineapple leaves were collected first, and then the fiber from the pineapple
leaves was extracted. After extraction, the fiber from pineapple leaves was dried
before being spun into rope and then used to make natural fiber geotextiles from
pineapple leaves. The fiber yarns are woven by the Philippine Textile Research
Institute (PTRI) of the DOST based on the sample size required. In order to get
the tensile strength of each sample, Zwick/Roell tensile strength tester Z050
(CRE) with 50 KN full scale load was used by the wide-width strip method. In
conclusion, with its high tensile strength and higher than commercially available
geotextile, pineapple leaves fiber is viable to be an alternative natural fiber
geotextile.
In the study conducted by the group of Decano (2016) entitled “Corn (Zea
mays L.) Stalk Geotextile Net for Soil Erosion Mitigation”, Corn (Zea may L.) stalk
was introduced as a new natural fiber of geotextile net for mitigation of soil
erosion. The main challenge during the process of the stalk to the rope was the
fiber extraction. In corn stalk geotextile net production, the processes involve
retting, fiber extracting, rope making, and net weaving. It was evaluated in a
xxxiii
laboratory experiment for 30° and 60° inclination to know the effect of geotextile
net. To establish the vegetation cover in the experiment, hydroseeding was
employed. Test boxes were put outside the hydraulic laboratory after the
installation of the geotextile net. The results revealed an increase in terms of soil
loss reduction efficiency and sediment yield significantly decrease for both
cornstalk geotextile net and combined corn stalk geotextile net and vegetation
cover. For both 30° and 60° slopes, experimental units with a combined corn
stalk geotextile net and vegetation cover had a 100% reduction efficiency. The
type of surface cover has a substantial impact on the efficacy of soil loss control,
according to the findings. The ability of surface covers to reduce the kinetic
energy of flowing water, hence reducing its ability to move soil particles, can be
related to these values. The cost of corn stalk geotextile net is Php 62.41 per
square meter.
In a study conducted by the group of Opina (2008) from Philippines
University Los Baños, College, Laguna entitled “Study on The Drying
Characteristics of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)”, the drying
characteristics of water hyacinth were determined. The impacts of temperature
(65 degrees Celsius, 80 degrees Celsius and 95 degrees Celsius), nature of the
petioles (part in half or entire), and the segment of the petioles on the drying rate,
final moisture content, tensile strength, rehydration ratio, and percent shrinkage
of the petioles were observed. It was found out that the temperature of 95
degrees Celsius and petioles parted into half brought about a higher drying rate.
All the parameters utilized for this study inconsequential influenced the tensile
xxxiv
strength of the dried plant. The foot of the petiole yielded higher last dampness
substance (normal of 14.23% MC) after drying. Moreover, it was found out that
the rehydration proportion carried on contrarily corresponds to the percent
shrinkage of the petiole. The top segment of the dried petiole appeared the least
percent shrinkage (35.34%) with a rehydration proportion of 4.25.
In the study conducted by the group of Paz (2018) entitled “Performance
Evaluation of Soil Erosion Control Geotextile Materials”, they conduct outdoor
runoff and soil erosion test for coir geotextile, geosynthetics mat, and geocell.
Results showed that the accumulated runoff volume on the Coconet-treated
slope was nearly three times that of the control plot. Similarly, Geomat and
Geocell produced larger runoff volumes that were nearly twice as large as the
control, but were about 27-31% less than the Coconet. This implies that the
slopes treated with geotextiles absorbed less water, resulting in less saturated
soil than the control, demonstrating effectiveness in preventing soil erosion. In
terms of accumulated soil loss, the Coconet performed best, followed by the
Geocell and then the Geomat. The Coconut's low erosion rates may be attributed
to its hand-woven property, which increases surface cover and surface
roughness, both of which are important in controlling soil erosion.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Bearing Capacity. It is the capacity of the soil to carry or support the loads
applied to the ground.
xxxv
Drapability. It is the ability of a fabric to perform and refold when deformed by its
own weight or by means of gravity.
Fiber. It is a long and thin strand, natural or manufactured, that can be knit,
weaved, and produced into fabric.
Geotextile. It is a fabric used in soil as a reinforcement, protection, filter, and
segregation.
Moisture Content. It refers to the quantity of water existing in a material such as
soil, fibers, and etc.
Petioles. It is the stalk of the plant that joins a leaf to a stem.
Runoff. It is the flow of excess water and debris from the surface of an area of a
structure or land.
Soil Erosion. It is a natural occurring situation involving the displacement of
layers of soil.
Soil Degradation. It is the loss or decrease of the physical, chemical and
biological aspects of the soil.
Soil Stabilizer. It refers to any substance used for soil improvement and
enhancement of soil properties.
Tensile Strength. It is the ability of a material that can withstand a maximum
force that tends to pull or stretch it apart.
Vegetation. It is the plant life of a certain area or a region.
Denier - The mass in grams per 9000 meters of fiber is a unit of measurement
for the linear mass density of fibers. A single strand of silk is approximately one
denier; a 9000-metre strand of silk weighs approximately one gram.
xxxvi
Neutralization - A chemical reaction in which an acid and a base react
quantitatively with each other.
ACRONYMS
ASTM – American Standard for Testing and Materials
DPWH – Department of Public Works and Highways
DOST-PTRI- Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Textile
Research Institute
BCR – Bearing Capacity Ratio
CG – Coir Geotextile
CGG – Coir Geotextile with Grass vegetation
CP – Control Plots
DOST – Department of Science and Technology
MC – Moisture Content
LLG – Limited Life Geotextile
RH – Relative Humidity
WH – Water Hyacinth
SLRE – Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency
xxxvii
RESEARCH PARADIGM
INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT
KNOWLEDGE
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS
Material
Properties DATA GATHERING
ASTM
Standards
SOURCING OF RAW MATERIALS
Evaluate the potential
use of water hyacinth
RAW MATERIAL fiber as a soil fiber
reinforcement geotextile
WATER CHARACTERIZATION OF MATERIALS net for soil erosion
HYACINTH FIBER
MANUFACTURING OF GEOTEXTILE NET

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Steel Comb
OVEN TESTING AND EVALUATION
COOPERATING FIRMS
DOST – PTRI
Figure 3. Input-Process-Output System
xxxviii
CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
In this chapter, experimental research with evaluative study on the
potential use of water hyacinth fiber geotextiles for soil protection was utilized.
The following flowchart summarized the procedures on how the study was
conducted.
xxxix
Figure 4. Flow diagram of the research
Problem Identification
Water hyacinth is the most destructive aquatic plant worldwide, and it has
heavily infested the Philippines with its capability to grow at a rapid pace. It
reproduces at an extraordinary rate, causing problems in the body of water. Soil
erosion is commonly acknowledged as a significant environmental problem. The
severity of the soil erosion issue in the Philippines is very serious, with more than
half of the country's land area affected.
This study, “Evaluative study on the potential use of water hyacinth fiber
as soil reinforcement geotextile net for soil protection” aims to answer the
following questions:
1. How will the study help the community from soil erosion mitigation and
from the continuous growth of water hyacinth?
2. What are the methods and testing procedures to be conducted in
development of study to meet the standard specification for geotextile net?
3. What raw materials and physical properties are needed for geotextile net
innovation?
4. What are the advantages of using water hyacinth fiber as geotextile net
compared to other geotextile net products?
xl
5. How much is the desired cost of water hyacinth fiber geotextile net per
square meter?
Data Gathering and Information
1. Data and information gathering in websites from different articles,
published books, and news that are related to study.
2. Consultation with the experts from public institutions and researcher’s
assigned advisers.
3. Inquiry on public and private institutions for the material testing and
fabrication.
Sourcing of Raw Materials
For the purpose of the study, researchers acquired the raw materials by
means of manual collection. The researchers collected water hyacinth plants
from the lake of C6 Taguig City. The researchers harvested enough raw
materials necessary for manufacturing of geotextile nets since the raw materials
were very common and sustainable to the area.
Characterization of Materials
Water Hyacinth Fiber
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Water hyacinth has broad, thick, glossy, ovate leaves measuring 10
to 20 cm across. It has the capability to propagate at a rapid rate about
3000 more plants in
just 50 days
(Francisco,
2020). The raw water
hyacinth fiber has
physical and chemical properties as shown in table 4 and the tensile
strength of water hyacinth fiber acquires from the result from different
methods of extraction as shown on table 5.
Table 5. Physical and chemical composition of raw water hyacinth fiber
Table 6. Tensile strength comparison of water hyacinth fiber using different extraction methods
Moisture absorption
of untreated and treated individual
xlii
WH fibers are shown in Figures 5-7; Figure 5 and 6 indicates moisture absorption
during being in the moist chamber, while Figure 7 shows moisture absorption as
measured by Ohaus MB45 moisture analyzer.
Figure 5. During being in moist chamber
Figure 6. During being in moist chamber
xliii
Figure 7. Measured by Ohaus MB45 moisture analyzer
SAMPLE DESIGN AND METHOD
Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
Extraction method Decortication Decortication Decortication
Treatment No treatment 6% NaOH solution Beeswax
Air dried for 48 Air dried for 48 Air dried for 48

Drying method hours hours hours
Diameter of twine
(mm) 5±1 5±1 5±1
Opening size (mm) 25 x 25 25 x 25 25 x 25

Table 6. Sample specification and methods
Steps on making a water hyacinth geotextile net

For water hyacinth geotextile net
1. Collection of water hyacinth stem with a minimum length of 18 inches.
2. The fiber was obtained by decorticating the water hyacinth stem with a
decorticating machine.
3. Air dry water hyacinth fiber for 48 hours, or until it has a moisture content
of 10-20%.
4. Twisting of water hyacinth fiber to make 5.0±1.0 mm diameter rope.
5. Fabrication of geotextile net with dimension of 1m by 3m and an opening
size of 25 mm.
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1 2
4 ` 3
Figure 8. Process on making water hyacinth geotextile net
For water hyacinth geotextile net treated with 6% sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
of 10-20%.
4. Soak water hyacinth fiber on
chemical solution
4.1 6%Sodium hydroxide
(NaOH) was used as the chemical; the fibers were treated with
xlv
6% Sodium hydroxide with 98% purity, with a liquor ratio of 1:20
(kg fiber: liter of solution), and immersed in an alkali solution for
the optimal 2 hours at room temperature that has increased to
40 degrees to 45 degrees because of NaOH.
5. Wash multiple times using tap water until the color of water is clear.
6. Neutralization of treated water hyacinth fiber of 1 liter in 99.85%
concentration Acetic acid.
7. Air dry water hyacinth for 72 hours, or until it has a moisture content of 10-
20%.
size of 25 mm
1 2 3
6 5 4
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7 8
Figure 9. Process on making water hyacinth geotextile net treated with 6% sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
For water hyacinth geotextile net treated with beeswax
of 10-20%.
xlvii
size of 25 mm by 25 mm
6. Rub the beeswax into the geotextile net.
1 2 3
5 4
Figure 10. Process on making a water hyacinth geotextile net treated with beeswax.
TESTING AND EVALUATION OF GEOTEXTILE NET
The following tests must be completed in order for this project to be
successful and most of the testing procedures are based on American Society for
Testing and Materials (ASTM).
1. Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Geonet by the Wide-
Width Strip Method (ASTM D4595-09)
xlviii
This test method covers the measurement of tensile properties of
geotextiles using a wide-width strip specimen tensile method. This test method is
applicable to most geotextiles that include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics,
layered fabrics, knit fabrics, and felts that are used for geotextile application.
The greater width of the specimen specified in this test method minimizes
the contraction effect of those fabrics and provides a closer relationship to
expected geotextile behavior in the field and a standard comparison.
The purpose of these tests is to determine the effectiveness of a geotextile
net produced from water lily stems by investigating and examining the changes
that occur on the material when the net is applied to slopes. The method of
testing is not intended to imitate field behavior; rather, it is used as an indicator to
assess the impact of confining stress on pore opening size, tensile properties,
degradation when exposed to the weather, tearing strength, and the water
permeability of geotextile net. The findings reported in this study should be
considered as tentative due to the small amount of data available. To better
understand the possibilities and disadvantages of the proposed test technique,
further research must be done.
2. Standard Test Method for Measuring Mass per Unit Area of Geonet
This test method can be used as an index to the determination of mass
per unit area of all geotextiles. The mass per unit area of a geotextile is
determined by weighing test specimens of known dimensions, cut from various
locations over the full width of the laboratory sample. The calculated values are
then averaged to obtain the mean mass per unit area of the laboratory sample
xlix
This test method is used to determine if the geotextile material meets
specifications for mass per unit area. This test method can be used for quality
control to determine specimen conformance. This measurement allows for a
simple control of the delivered material by a comparison of the mass per unit
area of the delivered material and the specified mass per unit area. Mass per unit
area is an important property that can directly measure fabric cost.
3. Standard Test Method for Measuring the Nominal Thickness of
Geosynthetics
This test method is limited to measuring the nominal thickness of
geotextiles, smooth surfaced geomembranes, geonets, and geocomposite
drainage products. The nominal thicknesses of geosynthetics are determined by
observing the perpendicular distance that a movable plane is displaced from a
parallel surface by the geotextile or geomembrane material while under a
specified pressure (2 kPa for geotextiles and 20 kPa for geomembranes for 5 s).
Thickness is one of the basic physical properties used to control the
quality of many geosynthetics. Thickness values are required in calculation of
some geotextile and geomembrane parameters such as permeability coefficients,
tensile stress (index), and the like thickness is not indicative of field performance
and therefore is not recommended for specifications.
l
Rainfall Simulation for Soil Erosion Mitigation
The simulation of a water hyacinth made geotextile net will be conducted
using a Rainfall simulator made and operated by the researchers. The testing of
the simulation process was based on the study of the group of Decano (2016).
Three different soil erosion covers were used as treatments: a.) Bare Soil, b.) 25
mm. by 25 mm. mesh size geotextile net, and c.) 25 mm by 25 mm mesh size
geotextile net with vegetation. In terms of slope application, two text boxes with
15 degrees and 40 degrees inclination were observed.
Sedimentation is dependent on sediment yield, and sediment yield is
dependent on soil erosion, predicting all three factors is required to forecast the
reservoir's life.
Procedure:
1. Establish the Rainfall Simulator with an effective artificial rainfall area of 23
cm by 33 cm and effective rainfall height of 60 cm for each soil test box.
Each tray has 70 holes (7 crosswise and 10 lengthwise) and is spaced 1
inch apart for consistency. The hole measures 3 mm in diameter.
2. Soil Specimen Preparation.
2.1 The soil was obtained from the cut earthworks of an excavated site
in Arca South, Taguig City.
2.2 Fill the 23 cm by 33cm soil test boxes with 3 kg soil. To avoid
irregularity, the soil was pre-wetted by spraying approximately 250 ml of
water then compacted with a rubber mallet for 40 blows from side to
center. For every given treatment of geotextile net, bare soil with
li
geotextile net and vegetation with geotextile net were utilized in test
boxes.
3. Time the simulation for 30 minutes duration with 10 minutes interval for
each slope and sample treatment.
4. Put a plastic container below on each test box for collection of runoff water
and sediments.
5. Start the simulation with 1 liter of water up until 18 liters in the 10-minute
mark.
6. Allowed to stand the collected runoff for 10 minutes for sediments to settle
down.
7. Weight the total runoff collected.
8. Using silk cloth, separate the runoff water and sediments using filtration.
9. Air dries the filtered sediments for 48 hours to determine the sediment dry
weight.
10. Calculate the Sediment Yield, and Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency
1 2
lii
4 3
5 6
Figure 11. Process on conducting rainfall

simulation
Apparatus and materials
● Test Boxes
● Soil and vegetation
● Cloth
● Weighing scale
liii
● Plastic Container
Calculation
1. Sediment Yield – refers to the mass of sediment over its plot area with
respect to time. It presents the total amount of erosion in a given area at a
specific period.
Sm
SY =
tA b
Where:
SY - Sediment yield
Sm - Oven dried sediment mass
t - Duration of rain simulation in hour
Ab – Area of soil test box
2. Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency – determines how well the geotextile
controls the soil.
SY b −SY g
SLRE=
SY b
Where:
SLRE - Soil Loss reduction efficiency
SYb – Bare sediment yield
SYg – Geotextile net sediment yield
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Design Concept Model
The design concept model of the geotextile net made from water hyacinth
fibers as shown in the figure 11 measured 3 meters in length and 1 meter in
width. Dimensions vary depending on the requirements of the standard test
method. As for the pattern of geotextile, a plain twisted pattern was used with an
opening size of 25mm x 25mm.
Figure 12. Design concept model of geotextile net
Proposed Site Application
For water hyacinth geotextile net applied in sloping areas, cover material
such as gravel, concrete blocks, stone boulders, and rock fragments were used
to ensure the geotextile from extended exposure to UV radiation, minimizes
lv
hydraulic forces from the soil, and keeps it in friction with the soil. Figure 13 and
figure 14 show a typical example.
lvi
Figure 13. Site application of geotextile net
Figure 14. Cross section view of application of geotextile net
Sewing and overlapping of the geotextile net was based on DPWH
geotextile standards. It will mostly depend on the soil strength whether it will be
overlap sewn or overlap unsewn. The researchers' design had a 3-foot overlap if
unsewn and a 12-inch overlap if sewn. See Figure 15 for example design
application
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Figure 15. Center line profile of geotextile net showing overlaps
For sloped surfaces, anchoring of the terminal ends of the geotextile shall
be accomplished by the use of cover materials. Moving from the start of the slope
and approaching upward. 18-inch-long anchoring pins distanced on 2 to 6 feet
centers depending on the slope gradient. Figure 16 shows the placement of
cover material and anchoring pins.
Figure 16. Site application of geotextile net with overlaps and cover material
lviii
CHAPTER 4
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
This chapter contains the test results and evaluation of test data. Data is
presented in tables, graphs, and photos for convenience and easy
understanding.
Water Hyacinth Geotextile Nets Mass per unit Area, Thickness and Tensile
Strength Specimen Results
Table 7. Mass per unit area and thickness of wh geotextile net specimen result
lix
Table 8. Tensile Strength (Lengthwise and Crosswise) of WH Geotextile Net Result
Based on table 7, the average mass per unit area is 267 g/m 2. Mass per
unit area of water hyacinth geotextile net falls under light weight-type natural
geotextile as classified in Appendix I-Table I.3. This specific physical property
implies that water hyacinth geotextile net is not suitable material for soil erosion
mitigation. The mass per unit area of a water hyacinth geotextile net is
dependent on cost but since it is considered light-weight type, it is neglected. The
second table shows the average thickness of water hyacinth net is 5.621 mm.
The thickness of the water hyacinth net is needed to compute the parameters for
tensile strength.
As shown in Table 8, 6 specimens from both the machine-direction and
cross-machine direction are considered for the results of mean tensile strength.
For machine direction, the ultimate tensile strength of the WH geotextile net is
3.16 kN/m with an elongation of 14.93% while on the cross-machine, direction is
2.62 kN/m with an elongation of 19.62%. It also computed the mean tensile
strength from the machine direction and cross-machine direction which is 2.9
kN/mm and 2.0 kN/mm respectively.
lx
Table 9. Mass per unit area and thickness of wh geotextile net treated with NAOH specimen result
Table 10. Tensile Strength (Lengthwise and Crosswise) of WH Geotextile Net treated with NaOH Result
lxi
Based on table 9, the average mass per unit area is 436.7 g/m 2. Mass per
unit area of water hyacinth geotextile net treated with sodium hydroxide falls
under medium weight-type natural geotextile as classified in Appendix I-Table I.3.
This specific physical property implies that water hyacinth geotextile net treated
with sodium hydroxide is suitable material for soil erosion mitigation. The mass
per unit area of water hyacinth geotextile net treated with sodium hydroxide that
is dependent on cost and computed to be 345.23 Php. The second table shows
the average thickness of water hyacinth geotextile net treated with sodium
hydroxide is 5.621 mm. The thickness of the water hyacinth net is needed to
compute the parameters for tensile strength.
cross-machine direction are considered for the results of mean tensile strength.
For machine direction, the ultimate tensile strength of the WH geotextile net
treated with 6% NaOh is 3.6 kN/mm with an elongation of 17.70% while on the
cross-machine, direction is 3.6 kN/mm with an elongation of 17.30%. It also
computed the mean tensile strength from the machine direction and cross-
machine direction which is 2.9 kN/mm and 2.80 kN/mm respectively.
lxii
Table 11. Mass per unit area and thickness of wh geotextile net treated with beeswax specimen result
Table 12. Tensile Strength (Lengthwise and Crosswise) of WH Geotextile Net treated with Beeswax Result
Based on table 11, the average mass per unit area is 678.09 g/m 2. Mass
per unit area of water hyacinth geotextile net treated with beeswax falls under
medium weight-type natural geotextile as classified in Appendix I-Table I.3. This
specific physical property implies that water hyacinth geotextile net treated with
beeswax is suitable material for soil erosion mitigation. The mass per unit area of
lxiii
water hyacinth geotextile net treated with beeswax is dependent on cost and
computed to be 474 Php. The second table shows the average thickness of
water hyacinth geotextile net treated with beeswax is 5.621 mm. The thickness of
the water hyacinth net is needed to compute the parameters for tensile strength.
cross-machine direction were considered for the results of mean tensile strength.
For machine direction, the ultimate tensile strength of the WH geotextile net
treated with Beeswax is 3.26 kN/mm with an elongation of 20.31% while on the
cross-machine, direction is 3.39 kN/mm with an elongation of 16.84%. It also
computed the mean tensile strength from the machine direction and cross-
machine direction which is 3.11 kN/mm and 2.80 kN/mm respectively.
Description of Water Hyacinth Geotextile Net Samples
Figure 17 shows the developed water hyacinth geotextile net, and the
physical specifications of the water hyacinth geotextile net are presented in Table
13.
lxiv
Figure 17. Water hyacinth geotextile net
Sample Type
Physical Property
WH Geotextile Net
Mass Per Unit Area, g/m2 (ASTM-

267
D5261-10)
Thickness, mm 5.62
No. of Twine- crosswise 101
No. of Twine- lengthwise 35

Table 13. Physical specification of water hyacinth geotextile net
Presented in Table 13, the average mass per unit area is 267 g/m 2. Mass
per unit area of water hyacinth geotextile net falls under light weight-type natural
geotextile as classified in Appendix I-Table I.3. This specific physical property
implies that water hyacinth geotextile net is not suitable material for soil erosion
mitigation.
Figure 18. Water hyacinth geotextile net treated with 6% sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
Physical Property Sample Type

WH Geotextile Net Treated with
lxv
6% Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
Mass Per Unit Area, g/m2
437
(ASTM- D5261-10)
Thickness, mm 7.43

Table 14. Physical specification of water hyacinth geotextile net treated with 6% Sodium Hydroxide.
Presented in Table 14 is the average mass per unit area of 437 g/m 2.
Mass per unit area of water hyacinth geotextile net treated with 6% sodium
hydroxide falls under medium weight-type natural geotextile as classified in
Appendix I-Table I.3. This specific physical property implies that water hyacinth
geotextile net treated with 6% sodium hydroxide is suitable material for soil
erosion mitigation.
Figure 19. Water hyacinth geotextile net treated with beeswax
Physical Property Sample Type
lxvi
WH Geotextile Net
Treated with Beeswax
Mass Per Unit Area, g/m2
678
(ASTM- D5261-10)
Thickness, mm 7.62
Table 15. Physical specification of water hyacinth geotextile net treated with Beeswax
Presented in Table 15 is the average mass per unit area of 437 g/m 2.
Mass per unit area of water hyacinth geotextile net treated with beeswax falls
under middle weight-type natural geotextile as classified in Appendix I-Table I.3.
This specific physical property implies that water hyacinth geotextile net treated
with beeswax is suitable material for soil erosion mitigation.
Mechanical Specification of Water Hyacinth Geotextile Net Samples
Shows mechanical specifications of the water hyacinth geotextile in terms of
tensile strength.
Sample Type
Mechanical Property
WH Geotextile Net
Tensile Strength,
kN/m (ASTM 2.9
Machine D4595-17)
Direction
Average Elongation
13.3
at Break, %
lxvii
Tensile Strength,
kN/m (ASTM 2.0
Cross- Machine D4595-17)
Direction
Average Elongation
14.1
at Break, %
Table 16. Mechanical specification of water hyacinth geotextile net (Tensile Strength)
Sample Type
WH Geotextile Net
Mechanical Property Treated with 6%
Sodium Hydroxide
(NaOH)
Tensile Strength,
kN/m (ASTM D4595- 2.9
Machine Direction 17)
Average Elongation at
15.8
Break, %
Tensile Strength,
kN/m (ASTM D4595- 2.80

Cross- Machine
17)
Direction
21.3
Break, %
Table 17. Mechanical specification of water hyacinth geotextile net treated with 6% Sodium Hydroxide
(Tensile Strength)
Sample Type
Mechanical Property WH Geotextile Net

Treated with
Beeswax
lxviii
Tensile Strength,
kN /m (ASTM D4595- 3.11
Machine
17)
Direction
17.0
Break, %
Tensile Strength,
Cross- kN /m (ASTM D4595- 2.80
Machine 17)
Direction
15.6
Break, %
Table 18. Mechanical specification of water hyacinth geotextile net treated with Beeswax (Tensile Strength)
Table 16 to 18 illustrates that the higher tensile strength both at machine
direction and cross-machine direction, the higher will be the elongation at break
of the geotextile net. The greater the elongation at break of the geotextile, the
greater its ductility. The higher the tensile strength of the geotextile net, the
higher the capability rate of the fiber to resist shape changes without crack
formation. WH fiber geotextile net treated with 6% sodium hydroxide, gives the
best result when it comes to the correlation of mean tensile strength and mean
elongation at break with values of 2.85 kN/m and 26.45%.
Rainfall Simulation of Water Hyacinth Geotextile Net
Sediment Yield
The summary of the mean sediment yield for each test box at a slope of 15˚
and 40° is presented in Table 19 and Table 20 respectively. The tables show that
lxix
the simulation at a slope of 40° yielded higher values for sediment yield. This is
to be anticipated, as water flow velocity is greater at higher slopes, resulting in
increased runoff and, eventually, more sediment deposited by the water.
Sediment output appeared to increase with the decrease in the amount of
surface cover at any given phase of the rainfall simulation, as shown in Tables 16
and 17. For example, at 15° inclination (Table 19), the bare soil sediment yield
recorded for the 30-minute rainfall simulation were 16917,18577.08, and
18814.03 g/m2-hr while the combined geotextile net and vegetation were 632.41,
355.73,237.15 (g/m²hr).
WH Geotextile Net
Surface cover
Rainfall Duration Combined geotextile
(min) Bare soil Geotextile
net and vegetation
(g/m²hr) net (g/m²hr)
(g/m²hr)
10 16917.00 4505.93 632.41
20 18577.08 1778.66 355.73
30 18260.87 711.46 237.15
WH Geotextile Net Treated with 6% Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
Surface cover
Rainfall Duration Bare soil Geotextile Combined geotextile
(min) (g/m²hr) net (g/m²hr) net and vegetation
(g/m²hr)
10 16917.00 4031.62 474.31
20 18577.08 2173.91 355.73
30 18260.87 1370.22 131.75
WH Geotextile Net Treated with Beeswax
Rainfall Duration Surface cover
lxx
Combined geotextile
Bare soil Geotextile
(min) net and vegetation
(g/m²hr) net (g/m²hr)
(g/m²hr)
10 16917.00 1343.87 1185.77
20 18577.08 1146.25 474.31
30 18260.87 553.36 210.80
Table 19. Sediment yield means at 15˚ Slope
mEAN SEDIMENT YIELD AT 15˚

WH GEOTEXTILE NET
Bare soil (g/m²h)
MEAN SEDIMENT YIELD
Geotextile net (g/m²h)

Combined geotextile net and vegetation (g/m²h)
18577.08 18260.87
20000.00 16917.00
15000.00
10000.00
4505.93 1778.66 711.46
5000.00 632.41 355.73 237.15
0.00
10 20 30
RAINFALL DURATION (min)
Figure 20. Mean sediment yield for wh geotextile net versus the time interval of runoff collection for 15º
MEAN SEDIMENT YIELD AT 15˚

WH Geotexti le Net Treated with 6%
Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
MEAN SEDIMENT YIELD
Bare soil (g/m²h)

16917.00 18577.08 18260.87
20000.00
15000.00
10000.00 4031.62 2173.91
5000.00 1370.22
0.00 474.31
10 355.73 2 0 3 0131.75
lxxi
Figure 21. Mean sediment yield for wh geotextile net treated with 6% NaOH versus the time interval of
runoff collection for 15º
MEAN SEDIMENT YIELD AT 15˚

WH Geotexti le Net Treated with Beeswax
Bare soil (g/m²h)
MEAN SEDIMENT YIELD

18577.08 18260.87
20000.00 16917.00
15000.00
10000.00
5000.00 1185.77 474.31 210.80
0.00 1343.87 1 0 1146.25 553.36 3 0
20
Figure 22. Mean sediment yield for wh geotextile net treated with beeswax versus the time interval of runoff
collection for 15º
WH Geotextile Net
Surface cover
Rainfall Combined geotextile
Duration (min) Bare soil Geotextile net
net and vegetation
(g/m²hr) (g/m²hr)
(g/m²hr)
10 18260.87 11936.76 1818.18
20 19051.38 3794.47 988.14
30 20685.11 2318.84 474.31
Surface cover
net and vegetation
(g/m²hr) (g/m²hr)
(g/m²hr)
10 18260.87 7667.98 395.26
20 19051.38 3478.26 158.10
30 20685.11 1712.78 79.05
lxxii
Surface cover
net and vegetation
(g/m²hr) (g/m²hr)
(g/m²hr)
10 18260.87 5533.60 2055.34
20 19051.38 2766.80 632.41
30 20685.11 1501.98 237.15
Table 20. Sediment yield means at 40˚ Slope
mEAN SEDIMENT YIELD AT 40˚ Figu

re
WH GEOTEXTILE NET 23.
Bare soil (g/m²h)

25000.00 20685.11
MEAN SEDIMENT YIELD
18260.87 19051.38
20000.00
15000.00
11936.76
10000.00
3794.47 2318.84
5000.00 1818.18 988.14 474.31
0.00
10 20 30
Mean sediment yield for wh geotextile net versus the time interval of runoff collection for 40º
lxxiii
Bare soil (g/m²h)
MEAN SEDIMENT YIELD

25000.00 19051.38 20685.11
18260.87
20000.00
15000.00
10000.00 7667.98
3478.26 1712.78
5000.00
0.00 395.26 158.10 2 0 79.05
10 30
Figure 24. Mean sediment yield for wh geotextile net treated with 6% NaOH versus the time interval of
runoff collection for 40º

Bare soil (g/m²h)
MEAN SEDIMENT YIELD

25000.00 20685.11
18260.87 19051.38
20000.00
15000.00
10000.00 5533.60
5000.00 2766.80 1501.98
2055.34
0.00 632.41
10 20 3 0 237.15
Figure 25. Mean sediment yield for wh geotextile net treated with beeswax versus the time interval of runoff
collection for 40º
lxxiv
According to the results shown in Figure 20 to 25, there is an increase in
sediment yield of the soil test boxes with a geotextile net inside during the first 10
minutes of the rainfall simulation, whereas the bare soil sediment yield starts
from a lower value to a higher value over time. It is primarily due to friction
between the soil and the surface cover. When water fills the voids in the first 10
minutes, the bare soil loses its compatibility, whereas the geotextile promotes
good abrasion between itself and the soil. These findings can be attributed to the
ability of surface covers to reduce the kinetic energy of flowing water, thereby
reducing its ability to transport soil particles.
At the time of the first drop of rain, the bond between the soil particles was
still loose, allowing the soil particles in the top layer to easily separate from the
soil mass. As the experiment progressed, however, the soil became saturated,
causing the particles to bond (Tanchuling et al., 2017).
Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (SLRE)
For both 15° and 40° slopes, soil test boxes with a combined water
hyacinth geotextile net and vegetation cover regardless of treatment showed a
high of 99.28% and low of 88.94% Soil loss reduction efficiency (Table 21 and
Table 22).
According to the findings, the type of surface cover has a substantial
impact on the efficacy of soil loss control. Vegetation, regardless of inclination,
results in lesser soil loss.
WH Geotextile Net
lxxv
Surface cover
Rainfall Duration (min) Combined geotextile

Geotextile
net and vegetation
net (%)
(%)
10 73.36 96.26
20 90.43 98.09
30 96.10 98.70
WH Geotextile Net Treated with 6% Sodium Hydroxide

(NaOH)
Surface cover

Geotextile
net and vegetation
net (%)
(%)
10 76.17 97.20
20 88.30 98.09
30 92.50 99.28
Surface cover

Geotextile
net and vegetation
net (%)
(%)
10 92.06 92.99
20 93.83 97.45
30 96.97 98.85
Table 21. Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (%) means at 15˚ Slope
Figure 26. Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (%) means for wh geotextile net versus the time interval of runoff
collection for 15˚ Slope
lxxvi
SLRE (%) MEAN at 15˚
WH GEOTEXTILE NET
Geotextile net (%) Combined geotextile net and vegetation (%)
120.00 98.09 98.70
96.26 90.43 96.10
100.00
EFFECTIVENESS (%)
73.36
80.00
60.00
40.00
20.00
0.00
10 20 30
SLRE (%) MEAN at 15˚

WH GEOTEXTILE NET TREATED with 6%
120.00 97.20 98.09 99.28
EFFECTIVENESS (%)
100.00 76.17
80.00 88.30 92.50
60.00
40.00
20.00
0.00
10 20 30
Figure 27. Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (%) means for wh geotextile net treated with 6% NaOH versus the
time interval of runoff collection for 15˚ Slope
lxxvii
SLRE (%) MEAN AT 15˚
100.00 98.85
97.45 96.97
98.00
EFFECTIVENESS (%)
96.00
92.99
94.00
92.00 93.83
92.06
90.00
88.00
10 20 30
Figure 28. Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (%) means for wh geotextile net treated with beeswax versus the
time interval of runoff collection for 15˚ Slope
WH Geotextile Net
Surface cover
Rainfall Duration (min) Geotextile Combined geotextile net
net and vegetation
10 34.63 90.04
20 80.08 94.81
30 88.79 97.71
Surface cover
net and vegetation
10 58.01 97.84
20 81.74 99.17
30 91.72 99.62
Surface cover
net and vegetation
10 69.70 88.74
lxxviii
20 85.48 96.68
30 92.74 98.85
Table 22. Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (%) means at 40˚ Slope
SLRE (%) MEAN AT 40˚ Figu

re
WH GEOTEXTILE NET 29.
Soil
Geotextile net Combined geotextile net and vegetation Loss
120.00
94.81 97.71
100.00 90.04 88.79
EFFECTIVENESS (%)
80.00
80.08
60.00
34.63
40.00
20.00
0.00
10 20 30
Reduction Efficiency (%) means for wh geotextile net versus the time interval of runoff collection for 40 ˚
Slope

Geotextile net Combined geotextile net and vegetation
120.00 99.17 99.62
97.84 91.72
100.00
EFFECTIVENESS (%)
81.74
80.00
58.01
60.00
40.00
20.00
0.00
10 20 30
Figure 30. Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (%) means for wh geotextile net treated with 6% NaOH versus the
time interval of runoff collection for 40 ˚ Slope
lxxix
Geotextile net Combined geotextile net and vegetation
120.00
96.68 98.85
100.00 88.74 92.74
85.48
EFFECTIVENESS (%)
80.00
60.00 69.70
40.00
20.00
0.00
10 20 30
Figure 31. Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (%) means for wh geotextile net treated with beeswax versus the
time interval of runoff collection for 40 ˚ Slope
Figures 26 to 31 show that rainfall duration is directly proportional to its
Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency. It also showed that the values of soil erosion
decreased in time with a constant amount of rainfall.
Correlation of Slope Gradient and Soil Erosion
Based on the results from the rainfall simulation, average soil erosion was
also lower at a lower slope gradient which is 15°. However, when the slope
gradient was increased to 40°, there was a comparable reduction in soil erosion.
The reduced horizontal surface area of the soil test box when tilted to a higher
slope gradient of 40° could explain the observed decrease in soil erosion. Soil
erosion increases when the soil gradient increases.
lxxx
Correlation of Slope Gradient and Sediment Yield
Based on the results from the rainfall simulation, sediment yield of both
slopes is identical with each other. It is also noticeable that the first 10 minutes
increases sediment yield especially on the 40 ° inclination. There's a chance that
the amount of runoff generated will be reduced, and that less silt will be produced
as a result.
Cost Analysis
For computation of total cost of water hyacinth geotextile net, see Appendix K.
COST OF DEVELOPED WH GEOTEXTILE NET
WH GEOTEXTILE NET
WH GEOTEXTILE WH GEOTEXTILE NET
TREATED WITH 6% SODIUM
NET TREATED WITH BEESWAX
HYDROXIDE (NAOH)
COST 163.84 345.23 474
MASS
PER
256 437 678
UNIT
AREA
Table 23. Cost developed WH geotextile net
Table 23 shows the representation of cost per square meter of water
hyacinth geotextile with its corresponding variable. Results showed that there is a
direct proportionality on cost and mass per area of the geotextile net.
lxxxi
COST COMPARISON OF GEOTEXTILE FOR SOIL EROSION
WH geotextile WH geotextile
GEOTEXTILE Commercial
Geomat net treated net treated
NET Coir Fiber
with 6% NaOH with Beeswax
MEAN
TENSILE
11.85 7 2.85 2.955
STRENGTH
KN/m
MASS PER
UNIT AREA 475 250 437 678
(g/m²)
COST PER m² 45 50 345.23 474
Table 24. Cost comparison of geotextile for soil erosion
COST COMPARISON OF GEO-

TEXTILE FOR SOIL EROSION
800 678
600 475 474
437
400 345.23
250
200
11.85 45 7 50 2.85 2.955
0
Commercial Coir Geomat WH geonet treated WH geonet treated
Fiber with NaOH with Beeswax
MEAN TENSILE STRENGTH MASS PER UNIT AREA COST PER m²

Figure 32. Cost comparison between different geotextile
Table 24 and Figure 32 shows the representation of cost comparison of
developed water hyacinth geotextile net compared to the market price of the
commercial geotextile used for soil erosion. When compared with commercially
available geotextile net for erosion mitigation, the cost of water hyacinth
geotextile net is higher by septuple (7) to nonuple (9) of the market price. The
considerably greater cost of the processed geotextile was due to the additional
lxxxii
processes involved in generating water hyacinth geotextile net, such as
decortication, roping, and weaving.
Comparison of WH geotextile from commercially used geotextile
List included are commercially available geotextile net and their data according
to Construction Specifications Institute (CSI).
Water Water
Hyacinth Hyacinth
Mechanical
Test Method Unit Geotextile Net Geotextile Net
Properties
treated with treated with
NaOH Beeswax
oz/yd2
Weight ASTM D5261 436.7 678.094
(g/m²)
Thickness ASTM D5199 mils (mm) 7.433 7.624
Tensile Strength
kN/m 2.9 3.11
Machine (ASTM D4595-17)
Direction Ave. Elongation at % 15.8 17.0
Break
Tensile Strength
Cross kN/m 2.80 2.80
(ASTM D4595-17)
Machine
Direction Ave. Elongation at
% 21.3 15.6
Break
Table 25. Mechanical Properties of Water Hyacinth Geotextile net treated with NaOH and Beeswax
Mechanical Minimum Average

Test Method Unit
Properties Roll Value
Weight ASTM D5261 oz/yd2 (g/m2) 12.0 (407)
Thickness ASTM D5199 mils (mm) 130 (3.3)
Grab Tensile
ASTM D4632 lbs (N) 320 (1424)
Strength
Grab Tensile ASTM D4632 % 50
lxxxiii
Elongation
Apparent Opening
ASTM D4751 U.S. Sieve (mm) 100 (0.15)
Size (AOS)
Approved geotextiles are as follows: Elongation > 50 %: Mirafi® S1200
Table 26. CSI1200
Mechanical Minimum Average

Test Method Unit
Properties Roll Value
Weight ASTM D5261 oz/yd2 (g/m2) 10.0 (339)
Thickness ASTM D5199 mils (mm) 115 (2.9)
Grab Tensile
ASTM D4632 lbs (N) 270 (1202)
Strength
Grab Tensile
ASTM D4632 % 50
Elongation
Apparent Opening
ASTM D4751 U.S. Sieve (mm) 100 (0.15)
Size (AOS)
Approved geotextiles are as follows: Elongation > 50 %: Mirafi® S1000
Table 27. CSI1000
Comparing the data of commercially available geotextile net according to
CSI and WH Geotextile net (Table 26 & 27), it can be concluded that the mass
per unit area, thickness and tensile strength of the water hyacinth geotextile net
treated with NaOH and treated with beeswax (Table 25) have a large difference
to the commercially available geotextile net. Coco Fibers and abaca fibers are
also called LLG but considering the availability of these natural fibers, in the
future’s time, it may face a lack of supply of natural fiber. The availability of water
lxxxiv
hyacinth fiber will not be a problem since it can be considered renewable
because of the rapid propagation of water hyacinth.
Including the biodegradability of water hyacinth geotextile net, it introduces
a disadvantage of the geotextile compared to CSI1200 and CSI1000 which were
made from synthetic polymers. Meaning, it can last for up to 50 years. The
laborious process of making the WH geotextile net is also a factor to be
considered. The availability of machinery that can be used in collecting the water
hyacinth stalk is lacking since the decorticating machine and water hyacinth
collecting machine is only available in DOST. Adding the duration of creating a
water hyacinth geotextile net is also a problem since it can take a lot of time if
created manually. In conclusion, the problems and the benefits water hyacinth
geotextile net delivers must be considered.
lxxxv
CHAPTER 5
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter contains the summary of findings, conclusions and
recommendations derived from the study.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Based from the test results, the following findings were derived:
Sample Type
WH Geotextile
Physical Property WH WH Geotextile
Net treated with
Geotextile Net treated
6% Sodium
Net with Beeswax
Hydroxide
Sample Code PHY- 0634 PHY- 0686 PHY- 0685

Mass Per Unit Area, g/m2 (ASTM-
267 437 678
D5261-10)
Tensile Strength, kN/m

2.9 2.9 3.11
Machine (ASTM D4595-17)
Direction Average Elongation at
13.3 15.8 17.0
Break, %
Tensile Strength, kN/m

Cross- 2.0 2.8 2.8
(ASTM D4595-17)
Machine
Direction Average Elongation at
14.1 21.3 15.6
Break, %
Thickness, mm 5.62 7.43 7.62

Table 28. Summary laboratory test result
1. Table 28 shows the summary of the laboratory test results of Mass per
Unit Area Test, Tensile Strength Test, and Thickness Test per ASTM
Standards.
lxxxvi
2. After the tensile strength test (Machine Direction) is made on the three (3)
samples, it is found out that Geotextile net treated with beeswax results
got the highest tensile of 3.11 kN/m and the other two samples results with
same tensile strength of 2.9 kN/m. As observed, greater tensile strength
results in higher elongation at break
3. Water Hyacinth geotextile net with no treatment is classified as lightweight
with mass per unit area of 267 g/m2 and is not suitable as erosion control
material.
4. Water Hyacinth geotextile net treated with 6% Sodium Hydroxide is
classified as mediumweight geotextile with mass per unit area of 437 g/m 2
and is suitable as erosion control material.
5. Water Hyacinth geotextile net treated with beeswax classified as
heavyweight geotextile with mass per unit area of 678 g/m 2 and is suitable
as erosion control material
Table 29 shows the summary of the estimated cost per meter of the sample
geotextiles
COST COMPARISON OF WH GEOTEXTILE NET
COST 163.84 345.23 474
MASS PER
UNIT AREA 256 437 678
Table 29. Cost
comparison of wh geotextile net
1. As observed, the cost will be dependent on the mass per unit area in a
directly proportional relationship.
lxxxvii
2. In comparison to the data acquired by the researchers from the rainfall
simulation, the number of sediments on bare soil increased significantly,
while on soil with geotextile net, it acquired a small number of sediments,
and on soil with vegetation, which acquired a least number of sediments.
3. The efficacy of soil loss reduction ranged from 87% to 98% for 15° soil
slopes and 66% to 90% for 40° soil slopes.
CONCLUSION
1. The treatment of 6% NaOH solution and beeswax enhanced the
mechanical properties of the geotextile net. The tensile strength of the
geotextile net has increased based on the value of the geotextile net with
no treatment.
2. Water Hyacinth geotextile net with no treatment classified as lightweight
geotextile, is not suitable as a proponent for soil erosion mitigation.
3. The treatment of 6% NaOH solution in the water hyacinth geotextile net
classified as middleweight geotextile, is increased by 18% of its mean
tensile strength.
4. The treatment of Beeswax in the water hyacinth geotextile net classified
as middleweight geotextile, is increased by 20.61% of its mean tensile
strength.
5. The cost of developing water hyacinth geotextile is dependent on its mass
per unit area in a directly proportional manner.
lxxxviii
6. The cost of water hyacinth geotextile treated with 6% NaOH and
Beeswax, is increased by 110% and 189% respectively on the base cost
of water hyacinth geotextile with no treatment.
7. The developed water hyacinth geotextile net had a higher initial cost than
commercially available geotextile nets. The cost of water hyacinth
geotextile for slope protection was estimated to be 345.23 pesos per m 2,
while coconet, which the DPWH has standards for, was estimated to cost
45 pesos per m2.
8. The primary and interaction impacts of slope and geotextile on two
variables; sediment yield and soil loss reduction efficiency (SLRE) studied
were quite significant.
9. The water hyacinth geotextile net treated with 6% NaOH, is the best
suitable geotextile net for soil erosion mitigation in terms of mass per unit
area, mean tensile strength, and average elongation at break.
10. The water hyacinth geotextile net treated with beeswax, is the best
suitable geotextile net for soil erosion mitigation in terms of sediment yield
and soil loss reduction efficiency.
11. All samples of water hyacinth geotextile for soil erosion whether treated or
not is best suitable for 40 degrees and below inclination of soil.
12. Water hyacinth geotextile net as a surface cover has significant effect on
soil erosion mitigation based on computed variables.
lxxxix
13. The water hyacinth geotextile net, treated with beeswax, has the best
efficiency rate as a slope protection material and the best suitable for
overall performance as a soil erosion mitigation material.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Validation of laboratory results should be made through field testing.
2. Large scale application of WH geotextile net should be made to determine
if it is also applicable in other applications such as filtration and hydraulic
conductivity.
3. Further study should be made to determine the effects of water hyacinth
geotextile nets to other applications.
4. Further study should be made to determine the effects of beeswax
treatment for natural fiber geotextile net.
5. Design and development of decorticating, rope making, and weaving
machines to reduce labor requirements, geotextile net production costs,
and fiber extraction time.
6. Appropriate equipment and apparatus should also be used to determine
quantifying parameters like rainfall apparatus to measure rainfall intensity
and its effects on the soil covered with water hyacinth geotextile net.
xc
7. More research needs to be done to see if the standard design criteria will
be maintained over time.
8. Further study should be made to determine the effects of water hyacinth
geotextile net on other slope gradients.
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APPENDIX A
TESTING APPARATUS
AND EQUIPMENTS
xcv
Kitchen weighing scale Weighing scale
xcvi
Hand drill Rubber mallet
Decorticating Machine Top Loading balance
Gester Thickness Tester MCL Tensile tester
xcvii
Precision Analytical balance Mettler Pneumatic sample Cutter
SDL Digital thickness gauge
xcviii
APPENDIX B
RAW MATERIALS
xcix
Sodium Hydroxide Liquid Soap
c
Beeswax Water hyacinth Fiber
Soil
Wood glue
APPENDIX C
FABRICATION OF
GEOTEXTILE NET
ci
cii
ciii
APPENDIX D
RAINFALL SIMULATION
civ
cv
APPENDIX E
TENSILE STRENGTH
TEST DATA AND
RESULT
cvi
GEOTEXTILE NET MADE FROM WATER HYACINTH FIBER
cvii
WATER HYACINTH GEOTEXTILE NET TREATED WITH 6% SODIUM HYDROXIDE
cviii
cix
WATER HYACINTH GEOTEXTILE NET TREATED WITH BEESWAX
cx
cxi
APPENDIX F
NOMINAL THICKNESS
TEST DATA AND
RESULT
cxii
cxiii
cxiv
cxv
APPENDIX G
MASS PER UNIT AREA
TEST AND RESULT
cxvi
cxvii
cxviii
cxix
cxx
APPENDIX H
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
OF WATER HYACINTH
FIBER
cxxi
cxxii
cxxiii
cxxiv
APPENDIX I
TABLES AND
STANDARDS
TABLE I-1. DPWH STANDARD FOR GEOTEXTILE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT
cxxv
APPLICATION
Subsurf
ace Sediment Erosion Hydraulic
Separation
Drainag Control Control Filter
e
Test Pa
Prope Wire Medu
Unit Met vin High
rty Fenc Self im
hod Cl Cl Cl Cl Unpo Prot g Survi
e Supp Survi
as as as as rtecte ecte vabili
Supp orte vabili
sA sB sA sB d d ty
orte d ty
Level
d Level
AST
1. MD 80 35 89 40
400² 400² - -
Grab 463 0 5 0 0
Tensil 2 35 1200/ 800/5
N
e AST 5 800 10
Stren MD
gth 785 353
168
2
AST
MD 50 < <
- - - 50% 15 15 - -
463 % 50% 50%
2. 2 @
Elong %
AST Max br
ation
MD @ ea > 50 > 50
- - k
168 200 %² %²
2 N
3. AST
Seam MD 71 31 80 35 1065/ 710/4
N - - -
Stren 463 0 0 0 5 710 65
gth 2
4. N AST
Puntu MD 35 11 35 17 445/3 310/1
- -
re 483 5 0 5 5 35 75
Strent 3
h
AST 353 108
cxxvi
MD
751-
59
AST
MD 20 90 22 96
- - - - -
5. 378 00 0 20 5
Burst 6
kPa
stren AST
gth MD
2000 900
751-
79
AST
MD 22 11 22 13 445/3 310/1
- - -
6. 453 0 0 0 0 35 75
Trape 3
N
zoid AST
Tear MD
216 108
111
7
K K K K
Fa Fa Fa Fa
7. AST K K
bri bri bri bri
Perm cm/ MD Fabri Fabri
c> c> - - c> c> - - -
eabili sec 449 c>K c>K
K K K K
ty 1 Soil Soil
So So So So
il il il il
8.
No No No No
Appar AST
(US te te te te Notes Notes
ent MD .84³ .84³
Std. s7 s7 s7 s7 - - - 7 7
Openi 475 Max Max
) &7 &7 &7 &7 &7A &7A
ng 1
A A A A
Size
AST
9.
Sec- MD
Permi - - 0.01 0.01 - - - - - - -
1 449
tivity
1
10. (% AST 70 71 72 73 74 75 - - - 79 @ 80 @
Ultrav Reta MD @ @ @ @ @ @ 150h 150h
iolet ined 435 15 15 150h 150h 15 15
Degra Stre
cxxvii
datio ngt
5 0h 0h 0h 0h
n h)
11.
Aspha APP
L/
lt ENDI - - - - - - - - 0.9 - -
m2
Reten X XI
tion
12.
Deg. AST
Melti 15
Celc MD - - - - - - - - - -
ng 0
ius 276
Point
cxxviii
Table I.2 DPWH Standards for geotextile recommended overlaps
Table I.3 Indian Jute Industries Mass Per Unit Area Classification
Mass Per Unit Area Classification
Slope Protection
g/m2 Remarks
Material
Less than 400 Lightweight Not Suitable
400 - 800 Medium weight Suitable
800 or greater Heavyweight Suitable
Indian Jute Industries
Standard Test Method for Tensile
cxxix
Properties of Geotextiles by the Wide-Width Strip Method (ASTM D4595-09)
cxxx
cxxxi
cxxxii
cxxxiii
cxxxiv
Standard Test Method for Measuring the Normal Thickness of
Geosynthetics (ASTM D5199)
cxxxv
Standard Test Method for Measuring Mass per Unit Area of Geotextiles
cxxxvi
cxxxvii
APPENDIX J
CONSULTATION SHEET,
CERTIFICATION AND
RECEIPTS
cxxxviii
cxxxix
cxl
cxli
cxlii
cxliii
cxliv
cxlv
cxlvi
cxlvii
APPENDIX K
COST ANALYSIS
cxlviii
ESTIMATED COST OF DEVELOPING WATER HYACINTH GEOTEXTILE NET
GNC = Total cost of harvesting and transporting + Cost of Extraction + Cost of
twisting and roping of fiber + Cost of weaving
For 1 x 3m geotextile net estimated of 10kg fresh water hyacinth
Total Cost of Harvesting and Transporting = 1000 pesos
Cost of Extraction (Decortication at PTRI) = 70 pesos per 1kg of water hyacinth
= 70 x 10
= 700 pesos
Cost of Twisting and Roping = 10 pesos per rope estimated of 270 ropes for 1m
by 3m sample
= 10 x 270
= 2700 pesos
Cost of Weaving = 2000 pesos
Total Cost = 6400 pesos/3m2 or 2133.33 pesos/m2 of 10000g/3m2 of water
hyacinth
The mass per unit area of water hyacinth geotextile net is 256 g/m2
Estimated cost = 2133.33 / 3333.33/256
Estimated cost = 163.84 pesos/m2

TREATED WITH 6% SODIUM HYDROXIDE
twisting and roping of fiber + Cost of weaving + Cost of chemicals
= 70 x 10
cxlix
= 700 pesos
by 3m sample
= 10 x 270
= 2700 pesos
Cost of Chemicals = 1500 pesos
hyacinth
Estimated cost = 2633.33 / 3333.33/437
Estimated cost = 345.23 pesos/m2

TREATED WITH BEESWAX
twisting and roping of fiber + Cost of weaving + Cost of beeswax
= 70 x 10
= 700 pesos
by 3m sample
= 10 x 270
= 2700 pesos
Cost of Beeswax = 600 pesos
hyacinth
cl
Estimated cost = 2333.33 / 3333.33/678
Estimated cost = 474 pesos/ m2
APPENDIX L
COMPUTATION FOR
SEDIMENT YIELD AND
SOIL LOSS REDUCTION
EFFICIENCY (SLRE)
cli
SEDIMENT YIELD
Sm
SY =
tA b
Where:
SY - Sediment yield
Sm - Oven dried sediment mass
t - Duration of rain simulation in hour
Ab – Area of soil test box
clii
SOIL LOSS REDUCTION EFFICIENCY
SY b −SY g
SLRE=
SY b
Where:
SLRE - Soil Loss reduction efficiency
SYb – Bare sediment yield
SYg – Geotextile net sediment yield
cliii
cliv
APPENDIX M
CURRICULUM VITAE
clv
clvi
clvii
clviii
clix
clx

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EVALUATIVE STUDY ON THE POTENTIAL USE OF WATER HYACINTH

FIBER AS SOIL REINFORCEMENT GEOTEXTILE NET FOR SLOPE

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree

This project study entitled “EVALUATIVE STUDY ON THE POTENTIAL USE

OF WATER HYACINTH FIBER AS SOIL REINFORCEMENT GEOTEXTILE

NET FOR SLOPE PROTECTION”, prepared and submitted by, DELTON P.

ARCENIO, ARVIN MARK M. BRANDES, KENNY JAY P. DE OCAMPO, JOVEN

R. GEGA and MAY FLEUR D. MAYAO, in partial fulfillment of the requirements

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is hereby approved

Dr. Edgar I. Gay-ya Engr. Janeil Mico D. Panganiban

Technical Adviser Technical Adviser

Engr. Aaron Paul I. Carabbacan Engr. Roldan C. Dayson

Member, Advisor Committee Member, Advisor Committee

Engr. Jenny B. Siva

Member, Advisor Committee

Engr. Marjon C. Gontiñas Engr. Joe Robert Paul G. Lucena

Member, Advisor Committee Member, Advisor Committee

Accepted and approved in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the

Degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

Dr. Emmanuel I. Ferrer Date

us with guidance, wisdom and strength.

To DOST-PTRI, especially Engr. Romeo Cometa Jr., Mr. Emmanuel Victor

Buniao, and Mr. Eduardo Valentino for open-handedly sharing to us their

project, of which we are very thankful.

the ever-loving support in every way possible – financially, mentally, and

spiritually. Without their great understanding, sacrifice and encouragement during

this research study, it would be impossible for us to complete our study.

We humbly dedicate this study to our beloved families, who showered us

complete this project. To our Technical Advisors, relatives, friends and

colleagues, who generously gave their knowledge, guidance, and

Of course to ourselves, thank you for enduring everything. As the

made it! Congratulations team!

Geotextiles are permeable fabrics that can separate, filter, reinforce,

natural and geosynthetics products. Natural geotextiles are biodegradable and

temporary which last 2-5 years.

geotextile net as a soil fiber reinforcement and the conventional way of

preventing soil erosion.

geotextile net in soil mitigation was conducted by researchers by rainfall

the sediment yield and soil loss reduction efficiency.

Table of Contents viii

List of Tables xiii

CHAPTER 1: THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Background of the Study....................................................................................... ii

Objective of the study...........................................................................................vi

Significance of the study......................................................................................vii

Scope of the Study..............................................................................................viii

CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH FRAMEWORK

Review of Related Literature.................................................................................x

Review of Related Study.....................................................................................xxi

Related Foreign Study........................................................................................xxi

Related Local Study...........................................................................................xxx

Definition of Terms.......................................................................................... xxxiii

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Data Gathering and Information......................................................................xxxix

Sourcing of Raw Materials...............................................................................xxxix

Testing and Evaluation of Geotextile Net...........................................................xlvi

Rainfall Simulation for Soil Erosion Mitigation..................................................xlviii

Design Concept Model..........................................................................................lii

Proposed Site Application....................................................................................liii

Description of Water Hyacinth Geotextile Net Samples......................................lxii

Mechanical Specification of Water Hyacinth Geotextile Net Samples................lxv

Rainfall Simulation of Water Hyacinth Geotextile Net........................................lxvi

Soil Loss Reduction Efficiency (SLRE)..............................................................lxxii