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Towards More Sustainable Materials for Geo-Environmental Engineering: The Case of Geogrids

Author

Listed:
  • Alessio Cislaghi

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (DiSAA), University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
    Centre of Applied Studies for the Sustainable Management and Protection of Mountain Areas (Ge.S.Di.Mont), University of Milan, Via Morino 8, Edolo, 25048 Brescia, Italy)

  • Paolo Sala

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (DiSAA), University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Gigliola Borgonovo

    (Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Claudio Gandolfi

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (DiSAA), University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Gian Battista Bischetti

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (DiSAA), University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
    Centre of Applied Studies for the Sustainable Management and Protection of Mountain Areas (Ge.S.Di.Mont), University of Milan, Via Morino 8, Edolo, 25048 Brescia, Italy)

Abstract

Plastic materials are widely used in geotechnical engineering, especially as geosynthetics. The use of plastic-based products involves serious environmental risks caused by their degradation. Innovative research has been focusing on biodegradable polymers of natural origin, especially on poly(lactic acid) (PLA), to reduce the use of plastics. This study aims to explore the potentiality of biopolymers for the production of geogrids, measuring the chemical and mechanical characteristics of raw materials and of prototype samples, similar to those available on the market. First, chemical composition and optical purity were determined by hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H-NMR) and polarimetry. Furthermore, samples of uniaxial and biaxial geogrids were custom-molded using a professional 3D printer. Mechanical properties were measured both on the filament and on the prototype geogrids. The maximum tensile resistance was 6.76 kN/m for the neat-PLA filament and 10.14 kN/m for uniaxial prototype geogrids produced with PLA-based polymer mixed with titanium dioxide. PLA-based materials showed higher tensile properties than polypropylene (PP), the most common petroleum derivative. Conversely, such biomaterials seem to be more brittle and with scarce elongation rate respect PP. Nonetheless, these results are encouraging and can support the use of PLA-based materials for innovative biodegradable geosynthetics production, especially if used in combination with live plants.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessio Cislaghi & Paolo Sala & Gigliola Borgonovo & Claudio Gandolfi & Gian Battista Bischetti, 2021. "Towards More Sustainable Materials for Geo-Environmental Engineering: The Case of Geogrids," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2585-:d:507716
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gian Battista Bischetti & Mario Di Fi Dio & Florin Florineth, 2014. "On the Origin of Soil Bioengineering," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(5), pages 583-595, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Slobodan B. Mickovski, 2021. "Sustainable Geotechnics—Theory, Practice, and Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-4, May.
    2. Markus Gastauer & Jhonny Capichoni Massante & Silvio Junio Ramos & Rayara do Socorro Souza da Silva & Daniela Boanares & Rafael Silva Guedes & Cecílio Frois Caldeira & Priscila Sanjuan Medeiros-Sarmen, 2022. "Revegetation on Tropical Steep Slopes after Mining and Infrastructure Projects: Challenges and Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-19, December.

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