In the heart of China’s Three Gorges Reservoir Area, a groundbreaking study led by Liming Liu, a researcher at the Key Laboratory of Geological Hazards on Three Gorges Reservoir Area and the Key Laboratory of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation at China Three Gorges University, is set to revolutionize slope ecological restoration, particularly in heavy-rainfall areas. The research, published in ‘Case Studies in Construction Materials’ (translated from Chinese), delves into the disintegration performance of Vegetative Cement-Soil (VCS), a material widely used for slope protection and ecological restoration.
VCS has been a go-to solution for slopes with ratios less than 1:0.5, but its application in heavy-rainfall areas has led to significant disintegration and shedding problems. Liu’s research introduces fibre reinforcement as a potential solution to enhance the anti-disintegration performance of VCS. The study explores the disintegration characteristics, microstructures, and pore structural characteristics of VCS and Reinforced Vegetative Cement-Soil (RVCS), focusing on three types of fibres—Polypropylene Fibre (PF), Basalt Fibre (BF), and Composite Polypropylene Fibre (CPF)—at varying fibre contents.
The research identifies three primary reasons for VCS’s strong disintegration: high porosity, uneven distribution of hydrated cement, and the decomposition of organic matter. “The component disintegration–fracture cycle leads to VCS disintegration,” Liu explains. “Fibre incorporation reduces the VCS disintegration ratio and rate, improving its anti-disintegration performance.”
The study found that a fibre content of 0.4% yielded the best results, with CPF showing the most significant anti-disintegration effect, followed by PF and BF. The differences in performance are attributed to variations in fibre surface morphology, degree of bending, diversity in cross-sectional size, and physicochemical properties.
The implications of this research are vast, particularly for the energy sector. As infrastructure projects, including hydropower plants and pipelines, often require slope stabilization in challenging environments, the enhanced durability of RVCS could lead to more resilient and cost-effective solutions. “This research could shape future developments in the field by providing a more robust and reliable material for slope protection,” Liu notes.
The findings suggest that fibre-reinforced VCS could be a game-changer for slope ecological restoration, offering improved performance in heavy-rainfall areas. As the demand for sustainable and durable construction materials grows, this research could pave the way for innovative applications in various industries, including energy, transportation, and urban development. The study, published in ‘Case Studies in Construction Materials’, offers a promising avenue for future research and practical applications, potentially transforming how we approach slope protection and ecological restoration.
