Geotextiles

Filtration

The filtration function is defined as “The restraining of soil or other particles subjected to hydrodynamic forces while allowing the passage of fluids into or across a geotextile’’. Efficient geotextile filters must have pores of

different shape, size and size distribution similar to the particle size distribution of soil.

Benefits:

• Prevents the migration of fine material into coarse material as a result of water flow in the soil
• Maintains the water flow in the soil with a minimum of pressure loss
• Prevents the migration of fine material as a result of pump effects from dynamic loads such as traffic

Drainage

The drainage function is defined as “The collecting and transporting of precipitation, groundwater and/or other fluids in the plane of the geotextile”.

Benefits:

• Geotextiles as a drainage element is a simple and well-defined solution
• Using geotextile drainage elements gives high drainage capacity per volume compared to traditional drainage gravel layers
• Reduces the water level and reduces the opening pressure in the soil
• Ensures that water and/or other fluids are drained with a minimum of pressure loss

Protection

The protection function is defined as “The prevention or limiting of local damage to a given element or material by the use of a geotextile”.

Benefits:

• Gives high, durable protection to the waterproofing liner
• Fast and Easy installation compared to soil layers

Reinforcement

The reinforcement function is defined as “The use of the stress-strain behaviour of a geotextile or a geotextile-related product to improve the mechanical properties of soil or other construction materials”.

Benefits:

• A cost effective and safe solution for the reinforcement of retaining structures and embankments on soft soils
• Improves soil stabilization and bearing capacity