Characterization of a braided strip drain with coir and jute yarns

A simple machine has been developed at the Textile Technology Department of IIT Delhi that uses coir and jute yarns to manufacture 100% natural fibre strip drains. The machine employing braiding technology braids jute yarns t o form the filter sheath and coir yarn as core. Typically the drains are ab out 7.5-12.5 mm thick in dry state and have a tensile strength of above 3 k N. The properties of the drain have been studied in comparison with two syn thetic strip drains and another type of natural fibre strip drain. In gener al, the properties of this drain are found comparable with typical syntheti c drains, except that for a slightly lower discharge capacity under soil co nfinement. An important feature of the jute yam sheath is its swelling natu re that allows it to Function as filter without clogging. The present drain differs from the other natural fibre sheath drain is that it is manufactur ed in single machine, and has capability of varying the width, thickness an d weight per linear meter to suit different soil conditions. (C) 2000 Elsev ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.