JERRICK WAYNE C.

VERTUDAZO March 23, 2020

CE 93 Geosynthetics in Geotechnical Engineering
Dr. Cheryl F. Daleon

Journal Critique

Man, X., Sha., G., Hu, S., Liu, G., & Wang, W. (2019). Effect of geotextile sewing method on
dewatering performance of geotubes: An experimental study. Journal of Measurements in
Engineering, 7(5), 205-213. https://doi.org/10.21595/jme.2019.21270

The research, “Effect of geotextile sewing method on dewatering performance of

geotubes: An experimental study”, by Man et.al (2019) seeks to explore the effect of geotextile
sewing method on dewatering performance of geotubes using a hanging bag test. As one of
the forefront functions of geotubes, the dewatering process should be evaluated by its
performance, as it spells out a multitude of applications where dewatering is necessary, such
as in municipal wastewater treatments, coastal engineering, and many others. So the research
problem is spot-on and specific in its purpose of determining the correlation of the independent
and dependent variables of the study.

The abstract of the research presents a simple, direct to the point summary of the
entirety of the research. The connection of ideas, however, is not so outright that a further
reading and comprehension of the research study is needed. For instance, it presents the
types of geotextile sewing methods used for hanging bags: “horizontal bag with the warp
threads along its circular direction and vertical bag with the warp threads along its axial
direction.” It then proceeds to present the test results by stating that “the dewatering
performance of the bag is better if its weft stress is greater than the warp stress.” It doesn’t
state directly how each geotextile sewing method performed in the dewatering process, but
rather the correlating factors contributing to such performance. The conclusion statement then
provides a direct correlation of the effect of geotextile sewing method to the dewatering
performance of geotubes: “when the circumferential direction of geotubes is consistent with
the weft threads, dewatering performance of geotubes will be better.”

The objectives of the study are not presented or stated explicitly in the article, but the
general objective can be deduced basing from the research problem itself: it aims to determine
the effect of geotextile sewing method on dewatering performance of geotubes using a
hanging bag test. Specific objectives are not expressed, but it may be implied by the
conclusions drawn by the researchers.

The purpose of the research authors is reflected upon the first paragraph of the
introduction. They first noted the application of geotube dams in coastal port wharf, sea dam,
and other estuary and coastal engineering, and their advantages. Dewatering is necessary for
the consolidation of the filling in each geotube, and that the construction period of the geotube
dam is closely related to the dewatering performance of geotubes. This became the motivation
of the researchers, and thus the purpose of their research is to assess the dewatering
performance of geotubes. Their purpose is of strategic importance, especially in the field of
coastal engineering, as reduction of construction time is ideal.
 The research methodology is summarized as follows. A sand soil was used in the
hanging bag test to make a mud mixture, and its grading curve was determined. A geotextile
commonly used for a geotube was selected for the hanging bag test. Two types of hanging
bags, each with a diameter of 0.5 m and a height of 1 m were made by different geotextile
sewing methods: horizontal bag with the warp threads along its circular direction and vertical
bag with the warp threads along its axial direction. In the process of hanging bag test, 10 kg
of sand soil and 10 kg of water were first mixed into a mud mixture, which were then poured
into the hanging bag at a uniform speed. A weighing plate is placed under the hanging bag to
receive exudate, and the weighing plate is replaced and weighed at regular intervals until there
was no liquid exudation coming out of the hanging bag. Finally, the received exudate at each
interval was weighed again after drying. The mass of soil loss and water loss in each period
of time was analysed according to the mass of exudate weighed before and after drying.

The method used is rather straightforward and simple. As it was explained at the last
paragraph of the introduction, the hanging bag test was adopted because of its ease in
operation and flexibility in controlling the longitudinal and latitudinal stress conditions. Because
of the manner of testing, it is expected that gravity will become a factor in the dewatering
performance, as stress induced would become greater down the hanging bag. Stresses
developed in the actual field may differ, as the tubes are laid horizontally. An additional field
test may be needed to really determine the dewatering performance of the bags with respect
to the geotextile sewing method.

A hypothesis cannot be ascertained from the research journal, as nothing was ever
presented nor any idea suggesting such.

The results of the test are summarized as follows. The tests of the horizontal and
vertical bags were recorded as Test A and Test B, respectively. A similar trend in the rate of
soil loss was observed in both tests, but the cumulative quantity of soil loss in Test A is greater
than that in Test B. The rates of water loss in Test A and Test B are similar during the latter
stage of the test, but significantly different in the early stage. The cumulative curve of water
loss in Test A is always above that of Test B, indicating that the dewatering quantity of the
horizontal bag is more than that of the vertical bag in the same test period, and thus, the
dewatering performance of the horizontal bag is better. Because of gravity, the stresses
induced on the weft threads are greater than those on the warp threads for the horizontal bag,
while the stresses on the warp threads are greater than those on the weft threads for the
vertical bag. The uniaxial test of geotextile showed that the pores of geotextile becomes
smaller as it is stretched along the warp direction, and larger as it is stretched along the weft
thread direction. Hence, this gives an explanation to the result of the hanging bag test.

The results were presented in a clear, simple manner. Figures showing the rates of
soil loss and water loss for Test A and Test B are well presented using line graphs, and
comparisons can be directly observed. The interpretation and explanation of the results are
also well presented.

Overall, the research journal article provides a straightforward approach in addressing

the research problem it presented. The motivation and purpose of the research is established.
The methods are simple and direct, with relative ease in controlling various parameters. The
results were presented well, and comparisons can be made directly. However, an actual field
test may be necessary in order that observations, results and conclusions may be as close to
the actual field situation.