Geotextiles are versatile permeablefabrics that, when used in conjunction withsoil, can effectively perform multiple functions, including separation, filtration, reinforcement, protection, and drainage. Typically crafted frompolypropylene orpolyester, geotextile fabrics are available in two primary forms:woven, which resembles traditional mail bag sacking, and nonwoven, which resembles felt.
Geotextile composites have been introduced and products such asgeogrids and meshes have been developed. Geotextiles are durable and are able to soften a fall. Overall, these materials are referred to asgeosynthetics and each configuration—geonets,geosynthetic clay liners, geogrids,geotextile tubes, and others—can yield benefits ingeotechnical andenvironmental engineering design.
Geotextiles were originally intended to be a substitute for granularsoil filters. Geotextiles can also be referred to asfilter fabrics. In the 1950s, R.J. Barrett began working using geotextiles behind precast concrete seawalls, under precast concreteerosion 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 tone setting for geotextile use infiltration situations.
Geotextiles and related products have many applications and currently support manycivil engineering applications includingroads,airfields,railroads,embankments,retaining structures,reservoirs,canals,dams,bank protection,coastal engineering andconstruction sitesilt fences or to form ageotextile tube. Geotextiles can also serve as components of other geosynthetics such as the reinforcing material in abituminous geomembrane. Usually geotextiles are placed at the tension surface to strengthen the soil. Geotextiles are also used for sanddune armoring to protect upland coastal property from storm surge, wave action and flooding. A large sand-filled container (SFC) within the dune system prevents stormerosion 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 andswales.[3][4]
Geotextiles can improve soil strength at a lower cost than conventionalsoil nailing.[5] In addition, geotextiles allow planting on steep slopes, further securing the slope.
Geotextiles have been used to protect the fossilhominid footprints ofLaetoli inTanzania fromerosion,rain, andtreeroots.[6]
In buildingdemolition, 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 intohumus, enriching the soil.[8]
Geotextiles with reflectiveproperties are often used in protecting the meltingglaciers. In northItaly, they use Geotextiles to cover the glaciers for protection from theSun.[9] The reflective properties of the geotextile reflect the sun away from the melting glacier in order to slow the process. However, this process has proven to be more expensive than effective.
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 thepeer reviewed journalGeotextiles and Geomembranes.
Geotextiles are needed for specific requirements, just as anything else in the world. Some of these requirements consist of polymers composed of a minimum of 85% by weight poly-propylene, polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, and polyethylene.[10]
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.
Media related toGeosynthetics at Wikimedia Commons| Investigation and instrumentation |
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