Geotextiles are permeable fabrics which, when used in association with soil, have the ability to separate, filter, reinforce, protect, or drain. Typically made from polypropylene or polyester, geotextile fabrics come in three basic forms: woven (looks like mail bag sacking), needle punched (looks like felt), or heat bonded (looks like ironed felt).
As the use of geotextile fabrics has expanded, geotextile composites have been introduced and products such as geogrids and meshes have been developed. Overall, these materials are referred to as geosynthetics and each configuration—- geonets, geogrids and others—- can yield certain benefits in geotechnical and environmental engineering design. These products have a wide range of applications and are currently used to advantage in many civil engineering applications including roads, airfields, railroads, embankments, retaining structures, reservoirs, canals, dams, bank protection and coastal engineering. Usually geotextiles will be placed at the tension surface as it will strengthen the soil.
Geotextile can be used as an innovative way to improve soil strength, instead of the conventional manner using soil nailing. It is believed that the cost to have it done is much cheaper. In addition, steep slopes can then be planted with vegetation to enhance the aesthetic value.
To use geotextiles to reinforce a steep slope, two components have to be calculated:
- the tension required for equilibrium
- the appropriate layout of the geotextile reinforcement
Geotextiles have been used to protect the fossil hominid footprints of Laetoli in Tanzania from erosion, rain, and tree roots.
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Last updated on Saturday June 28, 2008 at 14:24:27 PDT (GMT -0700)
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