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.

Contents
1 History
2 Applications
3 Design methods
3.1 See also
4 References
5 Further reading
History
Geotextiles were originally intended to be an alternative to granular soil filters.
The original, and still sometimes used, term for geotextiles is filter fabrics.
Work originally began in the 1950s with R.J. Barrett using geotextiles behind
precast concrete seawalls, under precast concrete erosion control blocks, beneath
large stone riprap, and in other erosion control situations.[2] He used different
styles of woven monofilament fabrics, all characterized by a relatively high
percentage open area (varying from 6 to 30%). He discussed the need for both
adequate permeability and soil retention, along with adequate fabric strength and
proper elongation and set the tone for geotextile use in filtration situations.

Applications

A silt fence on a construction site.

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.[3][4]

Geotextiles can improve soil strength at a lower cost than conventional soil
nailing.[5] 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.[6]

In building demolition, geotextile fabrics in combination with steel wire fencing

can contain explosive debris.[7]
Coir (coconut fiber) geotextiles are popular for erosion control, slope
stabilization and bioengineering, due to the fabric's substantial mechanical
strength.[3]:App. I.E Coir geotextiles last approximately 3 to 5 years depending on
the fabric weight. The product degrades into humus, enriching the soil.[8]

Design methods
While many possible design methods or combinations of methods are available to the
geotextile designer, the ultimate decision for a particular application usually
takes one of three directions: design by cost and availability, design by
specification, or design by function. Extensive literature on design methods for
geotextiles has been published in the peer reviewed journal Geotextiles and
Geomembranes.

See also
Hard landscape materials
Sediment control
Geomembrane
References
M�ller, W. W.; Saathoff, F. (2015). "Geosynthetics in geoenvironmental
engineering". Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. 16 (3): 034605.
Bibcode:2015STAdM..16c4605M. doi:10.1088/1468-6996/16/3/034605. PMC 5099829. PMID
27877792.
Barrett, R. J., "Use of Plastic Filters in Coastal Structures," Proceedings from
the 16th International Conference Coastal Engineers, Tokyo, September 1966, pp.
1048�1067
Dane County Department of Land and Water Resources (2007). Dane County Erosion
Control and Stormwater Management Manual (PDF) (Report). Madison, WI. Retrieved
2010-02-09.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (2003). Massachusetts Erosion
and Sediment Control Guidelines for Urban and Suburban Areas (PDF) (Report).
Boston, MA. pp. 73�74.
Morgan, Roy P.C.; Rickson, R.J. (2011). Slope Stabilization and Erosion Control: A
Bioengineering Approach. London: Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780419156307.
Renfrew, Colin and Paul Bahn, Archaeology. 4th ed. New York: Thames 2004. ISBN
978-0-500-28441-4.[page needed]
WGBH Boston (December 1996). "Interview with Stacey Loizeaux". NOVA Online. Public
Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 2009-04-29. Other preparatory operations involve
covering/wrapping the columns first with chain link fences and then with geotextile
fabric, which is very puncture resistant and has a very high tensile strength. It
allows the concrete to move, but it keeps the concrete from flying. The chain link
catches the bigger material and the fabric catches the smaller material from flying
up and out.
Richards, Davi (2006-06-02). "Coir is sustainable alternative to peat moss in the
garden". Garden Hints. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Extension Service.
Retrieved 2013-03-06.
Further reading