GeoSynthetics

Types and
Applications
CONTENTS:
1. Introduction
2. Different types of geosynthetics
3. Main functions of geosynthetics
4. Major applications of geosynthetics
5. Major benefits of geosynthetics
 A planar product manufactured from polymeric material used
within geomaterials to enhance geotechnical engineering/geo-
structural properties through reinforcement and/or improvement.

 Geosynthetics is a generic term for all synthetic materials used in

geotechnical engineering applications including geotextiles,
geogrids, geomembranes, geocells, geocomposites, geonets etc.
 GEOTEXTILES

 A geotextile/geofabric is a permeable textile used with foundation,

soil, rock, earth, or any other geotechnical engineering-related

materials as an integral part of a human-made project, structure, or

system.

Types:
 Woven Geotextiles

 Non-woven Geotextiles
Woven Geotextiles
• Uniform and regular interweaving of threads or yarns in two
directions
• Regular Visible Construction Pattern.
• Function: Soil Separation, Reinforcement, Load distribution,
Filtration, Drainage
• Have high tensile strength and relatively low strain.
Woven Geotextiles
Non-Woven Geotextiles
 Formed by heat bonding, resin bonding or needle punching
 No visible thread pattern
 Function: Soil separation, stabilization, load distribution, but not
used for reinforcement
 High strain and stretch considerably under load
Non-Woven
Geotextiles
 GEOGRIDS
 A geosynthetic formed by a regular network of tensile elements
and apertures

 They have open grid like configuration i.e. they have large aperture
between individual ribs

 They have Low strain and stretch about 2% under load

 Strength is more that other common Geotextiles

 Function: Used exclusively for reinforcement

Based on method/mode of manufacturing:
Punched and Extruded Geogrids

Welded Geogrids
 Based on
the Uniaxial Geogrids

Orientation
of ribs
Triaxial Geogrids Biaxial Geogrids
 GEONETS

 Geonets are made of stacked, criss-crossing polymer strands that

provide in-plane drainage

 Formed by continuous extrusion of parallel sets of polymeric

ribs(LDPE & HDPE) at preset angles to one another

 Their design function is completely within the in-plane drainage

area where they are used to convey all types of liquids

 Generally used along with one or two geotextile matter one at the
top and other at the bottom to prevent soil intrusion
 Biplanar
Geonets

Triplanar Geonets
 GEOMEMBRANES

 Geomembranes are relatively impermeable sheets of plastic

 Generally made from butyl rubber.
 GEOCOMPOSITES
 These are products manufactured by combining the superior
features of various types of geosynthetics.

 The objective is to produce materials which are multi-functional

and are faster to install than the individual components.

 Interface friction becomes an issue when geosynthetics are

placed on slopes and bonded materials address this potential
problem.
The various types of Geocomposites are :-

Geotextile – Geonet Composites

Geotextile – Geomembrane Composites

Geotextile – Geogrid Composites

Geomembrane – Geogrid Composite

Geotextile – Polymer Core Composite

Geocomposites
 Type Separation Reinforcement Filtration Drainage Containment

Geotextile YES YES YES YES

Geogrid YES

Geonet YES

Geomembrane YES

Geocomposites YES YES YES YES YES

GEOCELLULAR CONFINEMENT SYSTEMS or GEOCELL
 GEOMATS

Biodegradable Geomats
Non-biodegradable
Geomats
GEOPIPES
GEOFOAM
 1. Reinforcement
2. Filtration
3. Separation
Main Functions:
4. Drainage
5. Erosion Control
6. Barrier/Protection
REINFORCEMENT:
REDUCTION OF STRESS INTENSITY (CONCENTRATION) THROUGH WIDER
DISTRIBUTION
INTEGRAL MECHANISMS THAT
CONTRIBUTE TO
PERFORMANCE

Reinforcement Mechanisms Induced by Geosynthetics: (a) Lateral Restraint (b)

Increased Bearing Capacity; and, (c) Membrane Tension Support
  Preventing intermixing of soil types
2. SEPARATION: or soil/aggregate to maintain the
integrity of each material yet still
allow the free passage of
liquids/gases. Commonly used in
between sub-base/subgrade and
around drainage materials.
 Contamination of the base course
layers leads to a reduction of
strength, stiffness and drainage
characteristics, promoting distress
and early failure of roadway.
SEPARATION MECHANISMS
  Restraining soil particles subject
3. FILTRATION: to hydraulic forces whilst
allowing the passage of
liquids/gases. This function is
often partnered with separation.
  Allowing fluids and gases to flow
4. DRAINAGE: both through the plane of the
material. Commonly used as
components in geocomposites
used for surface water runoff or
for gas collection under
membranes.
  Isolating one material form another.
The most frequent use of this
function is in landfills where
impermeable linings prevent
contamination of surrounding soils
5. BARRIER/PROTECTION:
 Preventing or limiting localized
damage to an adjacent material,
usually a geomembrane used to line
a lagoon or a landfill. Thick
geotextiles prevent puncture or
excessive strain in the membrane.
  Protecting and reinforcing slopes
and drainage channels from
5. EROSION CONTROL: erosive agents whilst allowing
the establishment of vegetation
cover.
Major Applications of Geosynthetics
  Subgrade Separation and Stabilization;
 Base Reinforcement;
1. GEOSYNTHETICS IN
ROADS AND PAVEMENTS:  Overlay Stress Absorption and
 Overlay Reinforcement
  Separation refers to the ability of a
Geosynthetics to provide and
maintain physical separation between
the base course aggregate and the
SUBGRADE SEPARATION
underlying fine grained subgrade.
 It does prevent mixing of the two
dissimilar materials, where mixing is
caused by mechanical action
generally induced by construction
and operation traffic.
 The ingress of fines by as little as 10%
by weight results in the reduction of
strength by more than 80%.
Characteristics of Pavement Structure Subjected to Black Cotton Soil Intrusion
After Repeated Dynamic Loading and Cyclic Seasonal Effects
SUBGRADE STABILIZATION
  Base Reinforcement is achieved through
lateral restrain [confinement].
 With the addition of an appropriate
geosynthetic, the Soil-Geosynthetic-
Aggregate (SGA) system gains stiffness.
The stiffened SGA system is better able to
BASE REINFORCEMENT provide the following structural benefits:
 Preventing lateral spreading of the base
 Increasing confinement and thus stiffness of the
base
 Improving vertical stress distribution on the
subgrade
 Reducing shear stress in the subgrade
  Subgrade Dewatering;
 Road Base Drainage, and
2. GEOSYNTHETICS IN
SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE:  Structure Drainage
GEOSYNTHETICS IN SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE
  Slope Protection;
3. GEOSYNTHETICS IN
 Channel Protection, and
EROSION AND SEDIMENT
CONTROL:  Coastal Protection
GEOSYNTHETICS IN EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL:
  Embankments over Soft Foundations;
 Reinforced Steepened Slopes; and
4. GEOSYNTHETICS IN
REINFORCED SOIL SYSTEMS:  Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls
  soil reinforcement has emerged as an efficient,
EMBANKMENTS OVER economical and effective solution to the problem
SOFT FOUNDATIONS : of constructing embankments over soft soils.
  For many years, retaining structures were almost
exclusively made of reinforced concrete and were
designed as gravity or cantilever walls which are
essentially rigid structures and cannot
REINFORCED STEEPENED accommodate significant differential settlements
SLOPES [RSS]: unless founded on deep foundations.
 The economic advantages of constructing a safe,
steeper RSS than would normally be possible are
the resulting material and rights-of-way savings.
For example, in repair of landslides it is possible
to reuse the slide debris rather than to import
higher quality backfill.
REINFORCED STEEPENED SLOPES [RSS]:
MECHANICALLY STABILIZED WALLS [MSE];
  Structure waterproofing;
 Water Supply Preservation; and
5. GEOSYNTHETICS IN
REINFORCED SOIL SYSTEMS:  Environmental Protection,
STRUCTURE WATERPROOFING
WATER SUPPLY PRESERVATION
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION