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Bio-Based Substitutes for Geotextile Barriers in Permeable Brick Paving Systems
Summary
Those permeable pavements designed to let rainwater soak into the ground (helping prevent flooding) typically use plastic mesh fabric underneath that can shed microplastics into groundwater over time — the same water that can end up in our drinking supply. This study found that natural, plant-based materials like coconut coir can replace that plastic fabric just as effectively, and when paired with carefully sized layers of stone, the system can work permanently without any plastic at all. This matters because it offers a practical way to reduce microplastic contamination in the water systems running beneath our cities.
Conventional permeable brick paving systems rely heavily on petroleum-derived, synthetic non-woven polypropylene geotextiles to separate subgrade native soils from clean aggregate reservoirs. However, these synthetic barriers pose severe ecological liabilities, including the long-term leaching of microplastics into urban groundwater tables, carbon-intensive manufacturing footprints, and a susceptibility to premature mechanical "blinding" - where fine clay particles plug synthetic fibers and trigger systemic waterlogging. To mitigate these environmental pitfalls, this paper presents a comprehensive comparative assessment of organic, bio-based alternatives (Coconut Coir, Jute, Hemp, and Sisal) against traditional synthetic geotextiles and plastic geogrids. Utilizing technical design data and performance metrics, we evaluate each material across critical parameters, including tensile strength, water permeability, service life durability, and structural use-case suitability. The major assessment reveals that natural fiber geotextiles provide a viable "temporary support" mechanism. Among the bio-based candidates, heavy woven Coconut Coir matting (700 - 900 GSM) represents an optimal biomaterial substitute due to its high lignin content, which extends biological durability to 3 - 5 years. This window provides a stabilized transition, allowing the native subgrade soil to achieve natural compaction equilibrium before organic degradation safely concludes. To supplement shorter functional lifespans—such as Jute (1 - 2 years), Hemp (2 - 4 years), and Sisal (3 - 4 years) this paper examines the integration of the "No - Fabric" engineering method based on Terzaghi’s Filter Criteria. By leveraging precision particle size distribution and geometric stone interlocking, the system establishes a permanent subgrade transition zone that outlasts organic decomposition without risking subbase contamination. Ultimately, this research demonstrates that substituting synthetic geotextiles with bio-based barriers, backed by graded aggregate physics, achieves zero-plastic stormwater infiltration, eliminates groundwater microplastic accumulation, and transitions civil infrastructure toward high-performance, carbon-negative life cycles. Keywords: Permeable Brick Paving, Bio-Based Geotextiles, Coconut Coir, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), Microplastic Mitigation, Terzaghi’s Filter Criteria.