Geotextiles Geogrids

Geocell

Geosynthetics

Geomembranes
 Geosynthetic
• A planar product manufactured from
polymeric material used with soil, rock,
earth, or other geotechnical engineering
related material as an integral part of a man-
made project, structure, or system.
 NRCS Guidance on Use of
Geosynthetics
• Design guidance – Design Note 24
• Limitations on use – Unwritten policy on
not using in dams
• Future guidance – Draft TR-60 discusses the
use of geosynthetics in embankments and
foundations of dams
• Other uses and design guidance from
manufacturers
 NRCS Applications
• Geotextiles - significant use
Separation/Filtration for erosion protection
Padding beneath Geomembrane liners
Silt Fence
Drainage
Soft Foundation Reinforcement
Reinforced Fill
• Geomembranes - growing use
Animal Waste and Irrigation Pond Liners
Animal Waste Pond Covers
Canal Liners
 NRCS Applications
• Geosynthetic Clay Liners - growing use
Animal Waste Pond Liners
• Geogrids - minimal use
Soft Foundation Reinforcement
Reinforced Fill
Segmental Retaining Walls
• Geocells - some use
Load support
Earth Retention
Slope Protection
 NRCS Applications
• Geocomposites - minimal use
Drainage behind retaining walls
Drains in dams - chimney or seepage diaphragm
 NRCS Applications
• Geotextiles
• Geomembranes
• Geosynthetic Clay Liners
• Geogrids
• Geocells
• Geocomposites
 Geotextile
• A permeable geosynthetic comprised solely
of textiles
• Non-woven or woven
– Non-woven can be heat bonded or needle
punched
 Non-woven Geotextiles
Separation/Filtration for erosion protection

3” sand layer under non-woven

geotextile added due to geotextile
plugging by fine sands
 Non-woven Geotextiles
Typical installation as filter for riprap
 Sand Layer Used to Eliminate Clogging
Problem with Problem Soils

Non-woven
Geotextile

Clean, packed
sand under
geotextile
 Non-Woven Geotextile
Keys to proper installation
• Subgrade preparation is key
– No rocks, clods, holes, depressions
– Subgrade to +/- 0.1 ft is typical tolerance
– Rock or clods smaller than 0.1’ allowed
– Typically use fill sand or concrete sand
– Compact sand with plate vibrator to provide firm base
– No standing or flowing water
 Non-woven Geotextile
Keys to proper installation (continued)
• If filtering is primary goal, then…
– Geotextile should be sewn with a 6-inch overlap
– No punctures or tears are allowed to secure the
geotextile to the subgrade
– Place loosely on the subgrade without stretching
– Secure temporarily with single stones or crushed rock
– Care should be taken to avoid damage during
placement
 Non-woven Geotextile
Keys to proper installation (continued)
• If erosion control/separation is primary then…
– Field overlap is allowed
– Typically secured with pins provide by supplier
– Place loosely on the subgrade without stretching
– Care should be taken to avoid damage during
placement
– On long slopes, trenching at intervals may be
required
Woven Geotextiles
Silt Fence
 Woven Geotextiles
Typical installation of Silt Fence
 Woven Geotextile – Silt Fence
Keys to proper installation
• Proper location is key
• Installed below grade
– Minimum of 6” in trench or 8” with plow
– Stapled in bottom of 6” x 6” trench
• Posts on 8’ spacing or closer
 Geotextile
Drainage & Filtration
 Geotextile
Soft Foundation Reinforcement
 NRCS Applications
• Geotextiles
• Geomembranes
• Geosynthetic Clay Liners
• Geogrids
• Geocells
• Geocomposites
 Geomembrane
• An essentially impermeable geosynthetic
composed of one or more synthetic sheets
 Geomembrane
Animal Waste Pond Liners
Geomembrane – Waste Pond Liner
Keys to proper installation
• Proper subgrade preparation, similar to geotextile
– Smooth slopes, no rocks or clods
– If keyed in a trench at the top, some venting may be
required
• Installed by supplier or manufacturer
– If very large, may be seamed or welded on site
– Care must be taken around openings for pipe inlets, etc
– Subject to damage by equipment or animals
• Provide for cleanout of pond
 Geomembrane
Animal Waste Pond Floating Covers
 Geomembrane
Animal Waste Pond Submerged Covers
 NRCS Applications
• Geotextiles
• Geomembranes
• Geosynthetic Clay Liners
• Geogrids
• Geocells
• Geocomposites
 Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL)
• A manufactured hydraulic barrier consisting
of clay bonded to a layer or layers of
geosynthetic materials
Geosynthetic Clay Liners
Animal Waste Pond Liners
Geosynthetic Clay Liner for Waste Ponds
Keys to proper installation

• Proper subgrade preparation, similar to geotextile

– Smooth slopes, no rocks or clods
– Recommended to key in a trench at the top
• Installed by contractor or land owner
– Can be stapled at overlaps
– Subject to damage by equipment or animals
• Provide for cleanout of pond
 NRCS Applications
• Geotextiles
• Geomembranes
• Geosynthetic Clay Liners
• Geogrids
• Geocells
• Geocomposites
 Geogrid
• A geosynthetic formed by a regular network
of integrally connected elements with
apertures greater than 1/4 inch to allow
interlocking with surrounding soil, rock,
earth, and other surrounding materials to
function primarily as reinforcement
 Geogrids
EWP - Reinforced Fill
Road

Bi-axial
Geogrid

1/4”
Rebar
 Geogrids
EWP - Reinforced Fill
 Geogrids
EWP – MSE Wall
Geogrid/Gabion Wall
EWP - Headwall
Uni-axial
Geogrid
 NRCS Applications
• Geotextiles
• Geomembranes
• Geosynthetic Clay Liners
• Geogrids
• Geocells
• Geocomposites
 Geocell
• A product composed of polyethylene strips,
connected by a series of offset, full depth
welds to form a 3-dimensional honeycomb
system
 Geocells
Load Support Systems

Watering
Stream Facility
Crossing
 Geocells
Earth Retention
 Geocells
Slope Stabilization
 Geocells
Slope Stabilization – Wave erosion

Eroded front slope of small

watershed structure Front slope has been shaped and
geocells installed. Ready for
installation of concrete.
 Geocells
Slope Stabilization – Wave erosion

Completed installation of concrete

in geocells as a wave erosion berm
on a small watershed structure
 Geocells
Keys to proper installation
• Proper subgrade preparation based on application
– Subgrade may be earthfill, gravel base, or other
material
– May require a geotextile between subgrade and geocell
• Installed by contractor or land owner
– On slopes, anchor at upper end, then expand fully and
anchor lower end. Anchors can be #4 rebar, 18-24
inches long
– Clip adjoining sections together
– Installation drawings provided by designer or supplier
 Geocells
Keys to proper installation (continued)
• Infill cells with proper materials
– Infill may be soil, gravel, or concrete
– If geocells are being stacked, infill each layer separately
• Infill may be different within layer
– On retaining walls, outside cells may be filled with soil.
Cover cells while filling other cells with gravel, etc.
– Overfill slightly and compact as required by design
– Stay off geocell with heavy equipment, use hand
directed compactors
 NRCS Applications
• Geotextiles
• Geomembranes
• Geosynthetic Clay Liners
• Geogrids
• Geocells
• Geocomposites
 Geocomposites
• A product composed of two or more
materials, at least one of which is a
geosynthetic, void space for drainage.
 Geocomposite
WSP - Seepage Collection

Clay liner
Filter sand

Geocomposite
 Geocomposite
WSP - Seepage Collection
Geocomposite
ASTM C33 CL, 4 ft. thick
sand, 6 in.
thick

18 in. Nonwoven geotextile

overlap ASTM C33, Size 89
4 in. dia. slotted pipe drain material
Geosynthetics

Identification