What are geotextiles？
Geotextiles are permeable synthetic materials (usually made of polypropylene or polyester) used in geotechnical engineering applications. Here are some key points about geotextiles:
- Functions: They separate, filter, reinforce, protect, and drain. Common functions include separation, filtration, reinforcement, moisture barrier, and vegetation support.
- Materials: Most are made of polypropylene, polyester, or coconut (coir fibers). Required to be strong, permeable and chemically inert for intended use conditions.
- Grades: Vary in properties like strength, permeability, thickness based on intended function – separation, filtration, drainage, reinforcement, erosion control.
- Applications: Used in roadways, retaining walls, foundations, erosion control. Provide stability between soil layers, separate aggregates from fill material.
- Advantages: Durable, permeable alternatives to natural materials like gravel. Extend performance life of associated structures. Reinforce and stabilize soft/unstable ground.
- Installation: Require minimal subsurface preparation. Can be installed vertically or horizontally using pins, stakes, sand or soil overlays.
- Benefits: Cost-effective, improve load distribution, control water movement, enhance soil shear strength in construction projects.
- Longevity: Properly selected and installed geotextiles can last 50+ years, outperforming granular alternatives and saving costs in the long-term.
In summary, geotextiles are an essential part of modern civil engineering projects designed to improve ground conditions.
