5 Types of Geotextiles, Functions And Its Uses In Construction

Geotextiles are one of the most widely used geosynthetics, and their use in roads, railways, drains, embankments and landfills has grown steadily. A large part of the reason is durability: synthetic geotextiles do not rot in the ground. They are fabrics, but not the kind used for clothing. Most are made from synthetic polymer fibres, mainly polypropylene and polyester, formed into a woven fabric or a flexible, porous non-woven needle-punched felt. All are permeable to water to some degree.

Natural-fibre geotextiles made from jute or coir are also produced, mainly for temporary erosion control where the fabric only needs to last until vegetation takes hold. In every case, a geotextile is placed in contact with soil or rock to separate layers, filter water, control erosion or improve strength and stability.

Geomembranes and geotextiles are two types of geosynthetics that often work together on the same project. Geotextiles are made mostly from polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET); geomembranes are impermeable sheets made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), LLDPE or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Both come in a range of thicknesses and strengths.

The two do different jobs. A geomembrane is a barrier that stops water or other liquids moving through the soil, and is used to line landfills, ponds and containment structures. A geotextile lets water through while holding soil back, and stronger grades are used as reinforcement in slopes and walls (see geotextiles for earth reinforcement). The sections below cover the main types of geotextile and what each one does.

What Are the 5 Common Types Of Geotextiles?

Geotextiles are permeable fabrics, synthetic or natural, used across civil engineering. Here are the 5 most common types:

1. Woven geotextiles: made by weaving synthetic tapes or yarns (usually polypropylene or polyester) on a loom. They have high tensile strength and low elongation, so they are used where strength matters more than drainage: stabilising roads and railways over soft ground, reinforcing embankments and walls, and in geotubes and some erosion control work.
2. Non-woven geotextiles: made by bonding synthetic fibres together without weaving, either mechanically (needle-punching) or with heat. They have good water permeability, so they are used in drainage systems, filtration, and separation of different soil or rock layers.
3. Needle-punched geotextiles: the most common kind of non-woven, made by punching barbed needles through a web of fibres so they tangle and lock together. The result is a thick, felt-like fabric with good puncture resistance and filtration, used for erosion control, drains, soil stabilisation and as a cushion under geomembranes.
4. Composite geotextiles: two or more materials combined to get properties neither has alone. For example, a non-woven bonded to a woven geotextile gives the strength of the woven with the permeability and filtration of the non-woven.
5. High-strength geotextiles: heavy woven fabrics with very high tensile strength and puncture resistance, used where loads are high, such as basal reinforcement of embankments on soft soil, and reinforcing roadways, railways and retaining walls.

The right type for a job depends on the engineering requirement and the site conditions.

What Are The 5 Main Functions And Uses Of Geotextile In Construction?

Geotextiles improve how soil behaves under load and water, and help structures built on or in it last longer. These are their 5 main uses in construction:

1. Separation: a geotextile between two layers of soil or rock stops them mixing. In road construction it keeps soft subgrade soil from pumping up into the stone base, so the base keeps its strength and drainage.
2. Filtration: water passes through the fabric while fine soil particles are held back. In a drain, this keeps the water flowing without the drain clogging with silt.
3. Reinforcement: the fabric carries tension that soil cannot, making soil structures stronger and more stable. Typical uses are retaining walls, steep slopes and roads over weak ground.
4. Erosion control: a geotextile holds soil in place against wind, rain and flowing water. It is used for shoreline protection, channel lining and embankment slopes, often under rock or concrete armour.
5. Protection: a thick non-woven cushions a sensitive layer against puncture. In landfills and ponds it protects the geomembrane liner from stones in the subgrade or the drainage layer above; it can also protect buried utilities and waterproofing membranes.

Get In Touch With Ocean Global To Buy Geotextiles

Ocean Global supplies geotextiles and geomembranes for earth reinforcement, separation, drainage and containment work. Our engineers help match the product to the site, taking into account soil type, climate and expected loads.

Geotextile Manufacturers and Suppliers in India

Ocean Global manufactures geotextiles in India. The range is available in a variety of colours and roll lengths to suit project requirements.

Ocean Global is based in New Delhi and was formed in 1998. It supplies geosynthetics and engineering solutions for soil problems on construction sites, from soft subgrades and slope erosion to drainage and containment.

Ocean Global’s nonwoven geotextiles are made in ISO-accredited facilities for both Indian and export markets. The range includes polyester continuous filament nonwoven geotextile in a range of weights, strengths and filtration properties.

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