UNIT-4(b)

GEOSYNTHETICS

Geosynthetics :
Geosynthetics are synthetic products used to stabilize terrain. They
are generally polymeric products used to solve civil engineering problems. This
includes eight main product categories: geotextiles, geogrids, geonets,
geomembranes, geosynthetic clay liners, geofoam, geocells and geocomposites.

Geosynthetics have been successfully used to fulfill a number of functions that contribute
significantly to the good performance of roadways. They include the functions of separation,
filtration, reinforcement, stiffening, drainage, barrier, and protection.
One or more of these multiple functions have been used in at least six important roadway
applications. The applications include the migration of reflective cracking in asphalt overlays,
separation, stabilization of road bases, stabilization of road soft subgrades, and lateral drainage.
The geosynthetic products most commonly used in roadway systems include geotextiles (woven and
non-woven) and geogrids (biaxial and multiaxial), although erosion-control products, geocells,
geonets (or geocomposite drainage products) and geomembranes have also been incorporated in a
number of applications. These various types of geosynthetics can be used to fulfill one or more
specific functions in a variety of roadway applications.
For example, geosynthetics have been in use since the 1970s to improve the performance of
unpaved roads on soft subgrade soils. Beginning in the 1980s, geosynthetics were utilized to
minimize reflective cracking in asphalt overlays as well as to improve the performance of base
aggregate layers. The terminology used in the technical literature to describe the various
applications of geosynthetics in roadway systems and the functions of geosynthetics incorporated
into roadway design has not been consistent.
(1) Different geosynthetic functions unequivocally correspond to different geosynthetic properties,
and
(2) Geosynthetic applications correspond to the different types of projects that can be implemented
to achieve specific design goals. Each geosynthetic application may involve a single geosynthetic
function or a combination of such functions to develop mechanical or hydraulic mechanisms aimed
at enhancing the roadway performance.

Fig. 1 shows a paved road section with the location of possible geosynthetic layers and the various
functions that these geosynthetics can fulfill. These functions include:
i)Separation:
The geosynthetic, placed between two dissimilar materials, maintains the integrity and functionality
of the two materials. It may also involve providing long-term stress relief. Key design properties to
perform this function include those used to characterize the survivability of the geosynthetic during
installation.
ii)Filtration:
The geosynthetic allows liquid flow across its plane, while retaining fine particles on its upstream
side. Key design properties to fulfill this function include the geosynthetic permittivity (cross-plane
hydraulic conductivity per unit thickness) and measures of the geosynthetic pore-size distribution
(e.g. apparent opening size).
iii) Reinforcement:
The geosynthetic develops tensile forces intended to maintain or improve the stability of the
soilgeosynthetic composite. A key design property to carry out this function is the geosynthetic
tensile strength.
iv)Stiffening:
The geosynthetic develops tensile forces intended to control the deformations in the soil-
geosynthetic composite. Key design properties to accomplish this function include those used to
quantify the stiffness of the soil-geosynthetic composite.
v) Drainage:
The geosynthetic allows liquid (or gas) flow within the plane of its structure. A key design property
to quantify this function is the geosynthetic transmissivity (in-plane hydraulic conductivity integrated
over thickness). While comparatively less common in roadway applications, additional geosynthetic
functions include:
vi) Hydraulic/Gas Barrier:
The geosynthetic minimizes the cross-plane flow, providing containment of liquids or gasses. Key
design properties to fulfill this function include those used to characterize the long-term durability of
the geosynthetic material.
vii)Protection:
The geosynthetic provides a cushion above or below other material (e.g. a geomembrane) in order
to minimize damage during placement of overlying materials. Key design properties to quantify this
function include those used to characterize the puncture resistance of the geosynthetic material.

functions :
that are are used to enhance the roadway performance in the following five roadway applications:
(1) mitigation of reflective cracking in asphalt overlays;
(2) separation;
(3) stabilization of road base;
(4) stabilization of road subgrade; and
(5) lateral drainage.
This list is limited to applications of geosynthetics within a roadway section. Consequently, it does
not include transportation applications aimed at enhancing the roadway performance but that
involve components that are beyond the roadway section.
Geotextiles:
Geotextiles are permeable fabrics which, when used in association with soil, have the ability to
separate, filter, reinforce, protect, or drain. Typically made from polypropylene or polyester,
geotextile fabrics come in three basic forms: woven (resembling mail bag sacking), needle
punched (resembling felt), or heat bonded (resembling ironed felt).
Geotextile composites have been introduced and products such as geogrids and meshes have
been developed. Geotextiles are able to withstand many things, are durable, and are able to
soften a fall if someone falls down. Overall, these materials are referred to as geosynthetics and
each configuration—geonets, geosynthetic clay liners, geogrids, geotextile tubes, and others—
can yield benefits in geotechnical and environmental engineering design.
Applications:
Geotextiles and related products have many applications and currently support many civil
engineering applications including roads, airfields, railroads, embankments, retaining
structures, reservoirs, canals, dams, bank protection, coastal
engineering and construction site silt fences or geotube. Usually geotextiles are placed at the
tension surface to strengthen the soil. Geotextiles are also used for sand dune armoring to
protect upland coastal property from storm surge, wave action and flooding. A large sand-filled
container (SFC) within the dune system prevents storm erosion from proceeding beyond the
SFC. Using a sloped unit rather than a single tube eliminates damaging scour.
Erosion control manuals comment on the effectiveness of sloped, stepped shapes in mitigating
shoreline erosion damage from storms. Geotextile sand-filled units provide a "soft" armoring
solution for upland property protection. Geotextiles are used as matting to stabilize flow in stream
channels and swales.
Geotextiles can improve soil strength at a lower cost than conventional soil nailing. In addition,
geotextiles allow planting on steep slopes, further securing the slope.
Geotextiles have been used to protect the fossil hominid footprints
of Laetoli in Tanzania from erosion, rain, and tree roots
In building demolition, geotextile fabrics in combination with steel wire fencing can contain
explosive debris.
Coir (coconut fiber) geotextiles are popular for erosion control, slope stabilization and
bioengineering, due to the fabric's substantial mechanical strength.Coir geotextiles last
approximately 3 to 5 years depending on the fabric weight. The product degrades into humus,
enriching the soil.

Geotextiles can be used in many common applications:

 Unpaved and paved roads in airport runways

 Landfills and stone base courses
 Sidewalks and sand drainage layers
 Parking lots and curb areas
 Green areas and recreational facilities
 Retaining wall structures
 Duct banks and pipe trenches

Functions of Geotextiles

Geotextiles are commonly used to improve soils over which roads, embankments,
pipelines, and earth retaining structures are built. There are several types of
geotextile material, including open-mesh, warp-knitted, and closed fabric or non-
woven textiles. Different geotextile materials are specified for various characteristics,
such as separation, filtration, drainage, reinforcement, sealing, and protection.

Geotextile Separation

When a geotextile is installed between two different soil materials, the function of
separation plays an important role. In this case, the geotextile will separate dissimilar
materials so the required soil characteristics can be obtained. The main purpose of
this type of geotextile is that when water gets into the soil strata, the geotextile will
prevent soils from mixing. For example, in road construction, you might want to keep
fine sub-grade aggregate separate from the coarse aggregates of the bottom layer.

By doing this, the drainage characteristics will be kept intact, preventing the fine
aggregate from filling the voids between the larger aggregate. These types of
geotextiles have a special thickness and permeability characteristics to prevent soil
contamination and allow water to flow through without damaging the strength and
structural capacity of the road.

Geotextile Filtration

Filtration geotextile characteristics are used to allow for water to move in both
directions. These types of geotextiles can be woven or non-woven and are used to
prevent fine aggregates from moving between soil layers. Depending on the porosity
and permeability of the material, geotextiles also can promote lateral flow of drainage
water, dissipating the kinetic energy of the capillary rise of groundwater. Geotextiles
can be used in both vertical and horizontal applications, helping to solve drainage
problems around homes and along roads and curbs.

Geotextile Reinforcement

When a geotextile is used to improve soil characteristics, its design is based on a

few key factors:

 Friction or movement restraint

 Support of loads
 Changes in bearing failure plane
This is comparable to the function of rebar in concrete. Geotextiles are used on
embankments and roads being built over very poorly graded soils, allowing for
steeper embankments. For such applications, it is always recommended to have
design parameters provided by a geotechnical engineer.

Geotextile Sealing

A geotextile fabric can be impregnated with asphalt or other mixes to make it

impermeable and thus capable of restricting the flow of liquids in both directions.
This requires a non-woven fabric. Impermeable geotextiles may be used to prevent
contamination of soil or groundwater from pollutants above or to prevent the loss of
potable water due to evaporation or contamination.

Geotextiles as permeable textile materials used in contact with soil, rock, earth or
any other geotechnical related material as an integral part of civil engineering
project, structure, or system. Textiles play a significant role in building
infrastructures, offering desirable properties such as lightweight, strength, and
resilience as well as resistance to many factors such as creep, degradation from
chemicals, sunlight, and pollutants.

Geotextiles are made from polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene, polyamide

(nylon), polyvinylidene chloride, and fiberglass. Polypropylene and polyester are the
most used. Sewing thread for geotextiles is made from KevlarL or any of the above
polymers.

Based on their structure and the manufacturing technique, geotextiles may be

broadly classified into woven and nonwoven. Woven geotextiles are manufactured
by the interlacement of warp and weft yarns, which may be of spun, multifilament,
fibrillated or of slit film. Nonwoven geotextiles are manufactured through a process of
mechanical interlocking or thermal bonding of fibers/filaments.

An important contribution of the textile industry to the civil engineering sector is what
is, according to their use, referred to as construction textiles or geotextiles.
Geotextiles help in reducing energy consumption and improving performances in the
construction sector. Textile structures are also used in architectural sector to improve
the aesthetics of buildings.

Geotextiles in Civil Engineering:

Geotextiles are technical fabrics used in civil engineering construction projects such
as road pavements, dams, embankments, drains, and silt fencing for the purpose of
soil reinforcement and stabilization, sedimentation and erosion control, drainage and
support, and many other applications.

Properties of Geotextiles:
The properties and test methods of geotextile material arose first from previously
existing materials that resemble geotextiles, such as textile materials. The property
requirements and characteristics of geotextiles used for specific application depend
on their purpose and the desired functions.

There are some properties of geo textiles. They are:

 Physical properties
 Mechanical properties
 Hydraulic properties
 Endurance, Degradation, and Survivability properties
Physical properties:
The physical properties of geotextiles which are of primary concern
are fiber composition, areal density, thickness, stiffness, and specific gravity. In
geogrids and geonet, the properties such as structure type, junction type, aperture
size, and shape are of prime importance. The structure of the geotextile often
dictates the application area for which the material is appropriate. The physical
properties of the geotextile are more temperature and humidity dependent.

Mechanical properties:
Mechanical properties are important for the applications where a geotextile is
required to perform as a load-bearing member under applied loads and where it is
required to survive on-field installation related stresses. Mechanical properties of
geotextile are often categorized as in-isolation properties and performance
properties. In-isolation properties are determined on the geotextiles itself with the
absence of surrounding soil. Performance properties are determined on geotextiles
in the presence of site-specific soil.

Hydraulic properties:
The hydraulic properties of geotextiles are those that relate directly to filtration and
drainage functions of geotextiles. The filtration function of a geotextile requires the
pore size sufficiently small to retain the erodible soil particles and permeability
adequate to allow the free passage of seepage from the protected soil. Filtration
properties are controlled by pore sizes, pore size distribution, and porosity of the
fabric. The permeability of the geotextile is determined by measuring the rate of flow
of water through the fabric in the direction normal to the plane of the fabric. Porosity,
permittivity, and transmissivity are the most important hydraulic properties of
geotextiles, geonets, and geocomposites, which are commonly used in filtration and
drainage applications.

Endurance, Degradation, and Survivability

properties:
The endurance, degradation, and survivability properties (e.g., creep behavior,
abrasion resistance, long-term flow capability, durability—construction survivability,
and longevity) of geotextiles are related to their behavior during service conditions,
including time.

Types or Classification of Geotextile:

Geotextile is divided by two ways. They are-

 According to Manufacture
 According to Time of Use
Classification of geotextiles based on manufacture:
Geotextiles can be manufactured by weaving or knitting or nonwoven technologies.
Geotextiles are classified as follows:

1. Woven geotextiles: Woven geotextiles are produced with the interlacement of

two sets of yarns at right angles in the weaving process. Woven geotextiles have high strengths
and modulus in the warp and weft directions and low elongations at rupture.

2. Knitted geotextiles: Knitted geotextiles are produced with the interlooping of one or more yarns in
the knitting process. These geotextiles are highly extensible and have relatively low strength
compared to woven geotextiles, which limits its usage.

3. Nonwoven geotextiles: Nonwoven geotextiles are thicker than woven and are made either from
continuous filaments or from staple fibers. They are produced in the following bonding techniques:

 Needle punching
 Thermal bonding
 Chemical bonding
4. Stitch-bonded geotextiles: Stitch-bonded geotextiles are produced by interlocking fibers or yarns
or both, bonded by stitching or sewing. Even strong, heavyweight geotextiles can be produced
rapidly. Tubular geotextiles are manufactured in a tubular or cylindrical fashion without longitudinal
seam.

5. Geogrids: Geogrids are materials that have an open grid-like appearance. The principal application
for geogrids is the reinforcement of soil.

6. Geonets: Geonets are open grid-like materials formed by two sets of coarse, parallel, extruded
polymeric strands intersecting at a constant acute angle. The network forms a sheet with in-plane
porosity that is used to carry relatively large fluid or gas flows.

7. Geomembranes: Geomembranes are continuous flexible sheets manufactured from one or more
synthetic materials. They are relatively impermeable and are used as liners for fluid or gas
containment and as vapor barriers

8. Geocomposites: Geocomposites are made from a combination of two or more geosynthetic types.
Examples include geotextile-geonet; geotextile-geogrid; geonet-geomembrane; or a geosynthetic
clay.