--- title: "Application of Geosynthetics in Dams" date: 2021-05-06 author: "Pawan Khatri" url: https://oceangeosynthetics.com/application-of-geosynthetics-in-dams/ --- May 6, 2021 | [Geosynthetics](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/category/geosynthetics/), [Insights](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/category/insights/) # Application of Geosynthetics in Dams [![Geosynthetics in Dams](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Geosynthetics-in-Dams.jpg)](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/application-of-geosynthetics-in-dams/geosynthetics-in-dams/) [Geosynthetics](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/our-products/) are now standard materials in civil, geotechnical and environmental engineering, and their use in India keeps growing. This post looks at where they are used in dams. ## What makes Geosynthetics so popular? Engineers choose geosynthetics mainly for durability, lower material and maintenance costs, and shorter construction time. Polymer geosynthetics are chemically inert in most soils and water, and natural ones such as jute and coir are biodegradable. A roll of geotextile or geomembrane replaces many truckloads of graded sand, gravel or clay, so transport and the associated emissions fall. UV-stabilised grades tolerate long sun exposure and repeated wetting and drying, which is why the same materials appear in roads, canals, landfills and dams. ## Application of Geosynthetics in Dams Dams are structures built across streams and rivers to hold back and control the flow of water. They prevent floods and store water for [irrigation](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/suitable_sectors/agricultures/), industry, aquaculture and drinking supply, and many also generate hydropower. A dam also puts the area downstream at risk. Good design, construction quality and monitoring reduce that risk but cannot remove it: structural defects, seepage, overtopping, earthquakes and human error can all lead to failure, and a failure releases a flood wave that can destroy communities, property, livestock and infrastructure downstream. Geosynthetics are polymer or natural-fibre products that change and improve how soil and rock behave. They are made from polypropylene, polyester, HDPE, PVC, jute, coir or synthetic rubber. Geotextiles were first used in the late 1950s, when R. J. Barrett used woven fabrics beneath large stone riprap and behind precast concrete seawalls in Florida. In the water sector they are now among the most widely used materials in dam construction and rehabilitation, with each product type doing a different job. The main functions of geosynthetics are drainage, separation, filtration, reinforcement and, for geomembranes, acting as a barrier to water. In a dam they are used: - As filters in fill dams: - Downstream slope protection - Downstream surface drains to control seepage - Upstream slope protection - Temporary internal drainage to dissipate excess pore pressure during wet fill construction - As a separator/filter under riprap for improved [erosion protection](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/products/erosion-control-mats/) - For waterproofing rockfill dams (geomembrane facings) - For raising embankments - In rehabilitation of dams with [waterproofing](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/suitable_sectors/waterproofing/) and seepage problems - For crack control in dam cores Geotextiles are used as filters and wrapped drains, often in place of graded sand-gravel filters. [Geomembranes](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/products/ocean-geomembrane/) form the impervious facing of rockfill dams and are used to waterproof the upstream face when concrete and masonry dams are rehabilitated. Geocomposites serve as drains behind geomembrane facings and in chimney and shaft drains. Geogrids reinforce embankment raises and help control transverse cracking in earth dam cores. [Contact Ocean Geosynthetics](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/contact/) to discuss the geotextiles, geomembranes and geogrids your dam or embankment project needs. Get Ocean Geosynthetics in your Google feed[![](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/google-g-logo.svg)Add us as a preferred source on Google](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=https://oceangeosynthetics.com/) [![](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/sandbags.jpg)](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/how-do-retaining-walls-prevent-landslides/) [Insights](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/category/insights/) [How do retaining walls prevent landslides?](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/how-do-retaining-walls-prevent-landslides/) A landslide happens when a slope can no longer hold itself up, usually because heavy rainfall has saturated the soil, but sometimes after an earthquake… [See More](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/how-do-retaining-walls-prevent-landslides/) [![Reservoir Project Success Harnessing the Power of HDPE Liner and Geotextiles by Ocean Non Wovens](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Reservoir-Project-Success-Harnessing-the-Power-of-HDPE-Liner-and-Geotextiles-by-Ocean-Non-Wovens-300x150.png)](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/reservoir-project-success-power-of-hdpe-liner-and-geotextiles/) [Case Studies](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/category/case-studies/) [Reservoir Project Success: Using HDPE Liner and Geotextiles by Ocean Non Wovens](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/reservoir-project-success-power-of-hdpe-liner-and-geotextiles/) For a water reservoir in West Bengal, Ocean Non Wovens supplied two products that work as a pair: Ocean HDPE Liner 1000 micron to seal… [See More](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/reservoir-project-success-power-of-hdpe-liner-and-geotextiles/) [![Ultimate Guide to Geosynthetics in Infrastructure Projects in India](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/geosynthetics-300x200.webp)](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/ultimate-guide-to-geosynthetics-in-infrastructure-projects-india/) [Insights](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/category/insights/) [The Ultimate Guide to Geosynthetics in Infrastructure Projects in India](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/ultimate-guide-to-geosynthetics-in-infrastructure-projects-india/) Introduction Highways, railways, industrial corridors, urban infrastructure and water projects in India keep running into the same ground problems: weak and variable soils, heavy monsoon… [See More](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/ultimate-guide-to-geosynthetics-in-infrastructure-projects-india/) ![](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/tom-barrett-OQL4DLy3Nys-unsplash-1.webp) ## Contact US --- # Ocean Global --- ## Let's Keep In Touch (Social) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/OceanglobalOG/) - [X / Twitter](https://twitter.com/oceanglobalog) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/oceanglobalog) - [Pinterest](https://in.pinterest.com/oceanglobal/) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ocean-non-wovens-pvt-ltd/) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe0Aw7paUQqwZPS4L7G7UCA) ![Trust Seal](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/cover-trustseal.png-150x150.webp) --- - [Privacy Policy](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/terms-policies/) --- ## Contact Column - [Contact Us](https://oceangeosynthetics.com/contact/) - Email: [sales@oceangeosynthetics.com](mailto:sales@oceangeosynthetics.com) - Address: [RR-24, 2nd Floor, Rohtak Road, Mianwali Nagar, New Delhi – 110087, India](https://maps.app.goo.gl/iy7USRyPnFETrmVD6) --- ## Bottom Bar [Ocean Non Wovens Pvt. 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