Comparative Analysis of Material Properties and Biodegradation Between Lyocell Fiber (Tencel) and Geobag Synthetic Fiber as Temporary-Structure Material in Natural Coastal Protection Systems in Indonesia
Vivie Herbenita 1; Rildova 2; Nita Yuanita 3; dan Alamsyah Kurniawan 4
Program Studi Magister Teknik Kelautan
Fakultas Teknik Sipil dan Lingkungan
Institut Teknologi Bandung
Jl. Ganesha 10 Bandung 40132
1 inivivieherbenita@gmail.com ; 2 rildova@gmail.com ; 3 nita.yuanita@gmail.com 4 alamsyah@ocean.itb.ac.id
Abstract: The natural coastal protection system as a solution to the problem of coastal erosion in
coastal areas, including in Indonesia, combines the main natural protection (mangroves) and
temporary artificial structures is proposed. Until now, the temporary artificial structure is made of
polymeric synthetic fiber material in the form of non-woven geobags which take a relatively long
time to degrade naturally. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to determine alternative
biodegradable materials from natural-fiber textile that can be applied as a substitute for the main
material of geobag that have adequate function and service life as a temporary artificial structure.
The natural-fiber textile used is lyocell fiber textile (Tencel) from PT Rehal Traco which is compared
in terms of material properties, especially tensile strength and biodegradation characteristics of
local non-woven geobags 400 gsm from Buana Paksa Indonesia (BPI) and import non-woven
geobags 600 gsm from PT Tirta Citra Bara Persada as synthetic fibers. The combination of new
research methods that have not been developed by previous researchers, namely laboratory testing
methods for material properties and soil burial test methods for biodegradation test experimental
models is used. The results of laboratory testing of material properties show that lyocell fiber textile
(Tencel) has a lower value compared to other materials. Lyocell fiber textile (Tencel) with a
thickness of 0.17 mm and a unit mass of 78 g/m2 produces a tensile strength of 310 N (MD direction)
and 254 N (CD direction). Meanwhile, the results of the experimental model of biodegradability
testing with the soil burial test method, which are reviewed periodically based on visual changes
and percentage of weight loss for 7 weeks at all burial depths, showed that lyocell fiber textile
(Tencel) had a faster decomposition ability or was more easily degraded naturally. The condition
of the lyocell fiber textile (Tencel) were thinner, brittle, discoloration (spots) and had small holes
on the surface after 7 weeks of burial. In addition, the percentage of weight losses of lyocell fiber
textile (Tencel) were increased up to 6.47% at 0 cm depth, 28.27% at 5 cm depth, and 26.60% at 10
cm depth, with an estimate of being completely degraded (weight loss reached 100%) after 14 weeks
or 3.5 months at 5 cm depth. Although lyocell fiber textile (Tencel) is a biodegradable material due
to a faster rate of degradation, the material properties of lyocell fiber textile (Tencel) are lower than
nonwoven geobags and the biodegradation interval is below the required service life (2-5 years), so
then lyocell fiber textile (Tencel) cannot be used directly as the main material of geobag for
temporary artificial structures in natural coastal protection systems. It is necessary to increase the
number of layers of lyocell fiber textile (Tencel) at least 15 layers of textile by paying attention to
the orientation of the yarn fibers and the orientation of the stacking of layers of textile to resemble
the tensile strength value of nonwoven geobags, as well as special treatment through the finishing
process to reduce the rate of degradation to meet the required service life or until the main natural
protection (mangroves) grows strong enough.
Keywords: coastal erosion, natural coastal protection system, material properties, biodegradation,
soil burial test, lyocell fiber textile (Tencel), nonwoven geobag.
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