Geotekstil

Geotekstil, commonly referred to as geotextile, is a permeable textile used in civil engineering to modify soil-structure interaction. It is typically made from synthetic polymers and designed to perform functions such as separation, filtration, drainage, reinforcement, and erosion control.

Geotextiles are categorized into woven and nonwoven types. Woven geotextiles are produced by weaving fibers into a fabric that provides high tensile strength in both directions, while nonwoven geotextiles are produced by bonding or felting short fibers into a porous sheet, offering higher permeability and functions such as filtration and drainage.

Most geotextiles are made from polymers such as polypropylene or polyester, with occasional use of other polymers or natural fibers. Nonwovens may be needle-punched, heat-bonded, or chemically bonded. They can include recycled materials depending on the specification and application requirements.

Key functions include separation (to prevent mixing of soils with different properties), filtration (to allow water flow while retaining fines), drainage (to remove water from soil), reinforcement (to increase stability under loading), and erosion control (to stabilize soils on slopes or channels). These properties enable geotextiles to support pavement systems, embankments, and other earth structures.

Applications span road and railway construction, embankments and retaining walls, coastal and riverbank protection, drainage layers, landfill liners, reservoir covers, and environmental containment projects. Selection depends on the required balance of strength, permeability, pore size, and durability under site conditions.

Standards and guidelines from organizations such as ASTM, ISO, and EN guide testing methods and performance criteria, while installation practices influence long-term performance. Designers consider soil chemistry, UV exposure, temperature, and compatibility with adjoining materials when specifying geotextiles.