Non-Woven Geotextile Fabric in Road Construction: Importance and Functions
Non-woven geotextile fabric is crucial in road construction, providing several key functions and benefits:
- Separation: It acts as a separator between soil layers, preventing the mixing of granular materials like aggregates and subsoils. This maintains the road structure’s integrity by keeping layers distinct.
- Filtration and Drainage: The fabric allows water to pass through while filtering fine particles, maintaining road stability by managing water flow and preventing drainage system clogs.
- Soil Stabilization: By distributing loads and reinforcing soil structure, it enhances load-bearing capacity, reducing deformation and structural failure risks.
- Erosion Control: Serving as a barrier against water flow, it prevents soil erosion and surface degradation, preserving road integrity and minimizing repair costs.
- Pavement Overlay: Used in pavement overlays, it reduces reflective cracking by separating and stress-relieving layers, extending road lifespan.
- Moisture Barrier: Acting as a moisture barrier, it prevents upward water movement from subgrade soil, protecting the pavement layers from moisture damage.
- Construction Efficiency: Lightweight and easy to handle, it simplifies installation, saving time and labor, and reducing the need for extensive site preparation.
- Cost-Effectiveness: By enhancing road stability and reducing maintenance needs, it offers long-term cost savings and prolongs road life.
Non-woven geotextile fabric is a versatile material that improves road performance, longevity, and sustainability through its various functions.