Among the commonly used plastic materials in geotechnical engineering, the most significant fraction consists in the geosynthetics. The use of these products involves environmental risks associated with their degradation. Hence, a strong interest in biodegradable polymers of natural origin has been increasing, for finding alternative materials with adequate mechanical properties for geotechnical and geo-environmental applications. The main aim of this study is to test a bio-based, biodegradable and eco-compatible polymer, able to replace polypropylene and other synthetic materials in the production of geosynthetics. For this purpose, Poly(lactic acid) or PLA, one of the most common bioplastic polymer material commonly used as filament for 3D printers, was investigated. The chemical structure of PLA was determined by 1H NMR and the optical purity determination by polarimetry. PLA filament was used to print samples of uniaxial and biaxial geogrid at 1:5 scale using a professional 3D printer. Subsequently, tensile tests were performed on the filament and on prototype geogrids. Tensile tests measured a maximum tensile resistance of 51.96 MPa for the filament and 12.96 kN/m for uniaxial geogrid prototypes. The mechanical properties of PLA were found to be comparable to petroleum derivatives. These results are encouraging and can support the utilization of PLA for innovative biodegradable geosynthetics production, which could represent an alternative to non-biodegradable products, particularly when used in combination with live plants. In view of practical applications, however, research is still needed to determine the degradation of their mechanical properties over time.
Biodegradable Geosynthetics for Geotechnical and Geo-Environmental Engineering / A. Cislaghi, P. Sala, G. Borgonovo, C. Gandolfi, G.B. Bischetti (LECTURE NOTES IN CIVIL ENGINEERING). - In: Innovative Biosystems Engineering for Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry and Food Production / [a cura di] A. Coppola, G.C. Di Renzo, G. Altieri, P. D’Antonio. - Prima edizione. - [s.l] : Springer, 2020 Mar. - ISBN 9783030392987. - pp. 49-57 (( convegno Italian Association of Agricultural Engineering (AIIA) tenutosi a Matera nel 2019 [10.1007/978-3-030-39299-4_6].
Biodegradable Geosynthetics for Geotechnical and Geo-Environmental Engineering
A. Cislaghi
Primo
;P. Sala;G. Borgonovo;C. Gandolfi;G.B. BischettiUltimo
2020
Abstract
Among the commonly used plastic materials in geotechnical engineering, the most significant fraction consists in the geosynthetics. The use of these products involves environmental risks associated with their degradation. Hence, a strong interest in biodegradable polymers of natural origin has been increasing, for finding alternative materials with adequate mechanical properties for geotechnical and geo-environmental applications. The main aim of this study is to test a bio-based, biodegradable and eco-compatible polymer, able to replace polypropylene and other synthetic materials in the production of geosynthetics. For this purpose, Poly(lactic acid) or PLA, one of the most common bioplastic polymer material commonly used as filament for 3D printers, was investigated. The chemical structure of PLA was determined by 1H NMR and the optical purity determination by polarimetry. PLA filament was used to print samples of uniaxial and biaxial geogrid at 1:5 scale using a professional 3D printer. Subsequently, tensile tests were performed on the filament and on prototype geogrids. Tensile tests measured a maximum tensile resistance of 51.96 MPa for the filament and 12.96 kN/m for uniaxial geogrid prototypes. The mechanical properties of PLA were found to be comparable to petroleum derivatives. These results are encouraging and can support the utilization of PLA for innovative biodegradable geosynthetics production, which could represent an alternative to non-biodegradable products, particularly when used in combination with live plants. In view of practical applications, however, research is still needed to determine the degradation of their mechanical properties over time.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
482838_1_En_Print.indd.pdf
accesso riservato
Tipologia:
Post-print, accepted manuscript ecc. (versione accettata dall'editore)
Dimensione
384.73 kB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
384.73 kB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri Richiedi una copia |
Pubblicazioni consigliate
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.