Geotextiler

Geotextiles are permeable fabrics manufactured from synthetic fibers, primarily polyester or polypropylene, designed for use in civil engineering applications. They are employed to improve the performance of soil and rock in a variety of situations. Their primary functions include separation, filtration, reinforcement, drainage, and protection.

Separation is achieved by preventing the intermixing of different soil layers, such as between a subgrade and a base course in road construction, which helps maintain the structural integrity of the layers. Filtration allows water to pass through while preventing the loss of fine soil particles, crucial for drainage systems and preventing soil erosion. Reinforcement involves increasing the tensile strength of soil, thereby enhancing the load-bearing capacity of structures like retaining walls, embankments, and slopes. Drainage is facilitated by the permeable nature of geotextiles, allowing water to move freely and preventing hydrostatic pressure buildup. Protection is offered to other materials, such as geomembranes, preventing punctures or damage.

Geotextiles are broadly categorized into woven and nonwoven types. Woven geotextiles are produced by interlacing yarns in a regular pattern, offering high tensile strength and low elongation, making them suitable for reinforcement. Nonwoven geotextiles are manufactured by bonding fibers together mechanically, thermally, or chemically, resulting in a fabric with high permeability and good filtration properties, often used for drainage and separation. Their application spans from road and railway construction to landfill lining, coastal protection, and erosion control.