Geo-synthetics

Dr. R. N. Behera
NIT Rourkela

What is geo-synthetic?
A geo-synthetic has been defined by the American Society for Testing
and Materials (ASTM) Committee on Geo-synthetics as A
A planar
product manufactured from polymeric material used with soil, rock,
earth, or other geotechnical engineering related material as an integral
part of a manman-made project, structure, or system.
system

Geo synthetics are classified as follows:

1. Geotextiles
2. Geogrids
3. Geonets
4. Geomembranes
5. Geosynthetic clay liners
6. Geocells/geo web members
7. Geofoam
8. Geotubes
9. Geocomposites

Geotextiles

Geotextiles are defined as any permeable textile used with foundation soil, rock,
earth, or any other geotechnical engineering-related material as an integral part of
human-made project, structure, or system.
Woven Geotextile
Non-woven Geotextile

WOVEN GEOTEXTILE
Uniform and regular interweaving of threads in two directions.
Regular Visible Construction Pattern
Function: Soil Separation, Reinforcement, Load distribution, Filtration,
Drainage
Have high tensile strength and relatively low strain.

NON WOVEN GEOTEXTILE

Formed by heat bonding, resin bonding or needle punching.
No visible thread pattern.
Function: Soil separation, stabilization, load distribution, but not used for
reinforcement.
They have high strain and stretch considerably under load.

CHARACTERISTICS
Porous and allow flow of water through it
Most used geosynthetics
They may be either woven or non woven
Available in rolls of 5-6m wide and 50-150m long
Composed of polymers like polypropylene, high density polyethylene,
polyster
Function: Separation, Reinforcement, Filtration, Drainage.

GEOGRIDS

Geogrid

Uniaxial geogrid

Biaxial geogrid

REINFORCEMENT MECHANISM
skin friction
Passive resistance
Interlocking
mechanism

Interlocking mechanism

Shear strength

Pullout (anchorage) tests on various

materials in dense granular soil
(Ingold, T. S. 1983)

Foundations supported on geogrid reinforced soil

d = u + (N 1 ) h

Geometric parameters of a rectangular

foundation supported by geogridreinforced soil

General nature of the load-settlement

curves for unreinforced and geogridreinforced
soil
supporting
a
foundation

GEOGRIDS

They have open grid like configuration i.e. they have large aperture between
individual ribs
They have Low strain and stretch about 2% under load
Strength is more that other common geotextiles
Function: Used exclusively for reinforcement

GEONETS
(Geospacers)
Geospacers)
Planar, relatively impermeable products consisting of
regular dense network of integrally connected parallel
set of ribs overlying similar sets at various angles
Their design function is completely within the inplane drainage area where they are used to convey all
types of liquids.
Though they are used for the drainage function but
they have high tensile strength
Generally used along with one or two geotextile
matter one at the top and other at the bottom to
prevent soil intrusion .

GEOMEMBRANES
Materials are relatively thin
impervious sheets
Generally made from butyl rubber
Geomembrane are used more often
than geotextiles.

GEOSYNTHETIC CLAY LINERS

This is the mixed position of polymeric
materials and natural soil.
Factory fabricated and bentonite clay is
sandwitched between 2 geotextile
Structural integrity is obtained by needle
punching.
Function:
barrier.

Containment,

As

Hydraulic

GEO CELLS/GEO WEB MEMBERS

Similar to geotextiles or geogrids but have depth
Formed by High Density Polyethylene sheets
When opened form honey comb like structure and that contain soil, gravel
Allow water through it
USE
In slopes with soft sub-grade
erosion control in channels

GEO FOAM
Large but extremely light materials with gas filled cells
Made from expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene by polymeric
expansion process
Function: separation, lightweight fill, compressible inclusions, thermal
insulation,

GEOTUBES
constructed of high-strength, permeable, specially engineered textiles
available in a variety of sizes, depending on your volume and space
requirements
Function: containment and dewatering of high moisture content sludge
and sediment, Shoreline Protection and Marine Structure Construction

GEOCOMPOSITES
This is a factory fabricated unit with two or more geosynthetic
components
This is prepared to extract all the major properties of the
geosynthetics into a single unit with minimum cost
Along with geosynthetic materials sometimes some non geosynthetic
materials are also used.
Types of Geocomposites
Geotextile-Geonet Composites
Geotextile Geomembrane Composiets
Geotextile Geogrid Composiets
Geomembrane Geogrid Composite

GRIDGRID-ANCHOR & GEOMESH

The grid-anchor is a new type of 3-dimensional reinforcement system that is

made by adding anchors at an angle of 45 with plastic belt material ending
at two polymer cubes with the dimensions of 1.0 x 1.0 1.0 cm to an ordinary
geomesh sheet

GRIDGRID-ANCHOR & GEOMESH

Geomesh is the ideal solution for land management, earth retention, soil
stabilization, erosion and flood control, construction and landscape
applications.
Geomesh is manufactured using innovative galvanizing after welding process
that ensures that the wire is completely galvanized in all the weld areas,
making it extremely resistant to corrosion, even in the harshest environments.

Advantages of GeoGeo-synthetics
Cheaper in product cost, transport and installation.
Can be designed (predictability)
Can be installed quickly with flexibility to construct during short period.
Consistent over a wide range of soils
Space Savings
Material Quality Control - More homogeneous than soil and aggregates.
Better Construction Quality Control at site
Easy Material Deployment
Less Environmentally Sensitive
Improved performance and extended life
Increased safety factor
Compatible with field conditions
Increased service life of flexible pavement section by a factor of 2.5 to 3.0 for weak
subgrades (CBR 2%) and by 2.0 to 3.3 for moderate subgrades (CBR 4.2 to 4.5%)
Increase in allowable load bearing capacity by 40 to 50% for subgrade CBR>3 and well
over 50% for subgrade CBR<3

Functions of Geosynthetics
GeoGeo-synthetics can perform one or several functions to improve
mechanical or hydraulic behaviour of the structure
The basic functions performed by geogeo-synthetics are:
Separation
Filtration
Drainage
Reinforcement
Fluid Barrier
Protection

Functions of Geosynthetics
Separation

Filtration

Functions of Geosynthetics
Reinforcement

Drainage

Functions of Geosynthetics

Barrier

FUNCTION OF GEOSYNTHETIC MATERIALS:

A Comparative Review.
Types Of Geosynthetics

Separation

Reinforcement

Filtration

Drainage

Geotextile

YES

YES

YES

YES

Barrier

YES

Geogrid

YES

Geonet
Geomembrane

YES

GCL

YES

Geofoam

YES

Geocomposites

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

TESTS ON GEOSYNTHETICS
1. Grab test
2. Seam testing
3. Puncture test
4. CBR push through test
5. Tear test
6. Diaphragm bursting strength test
7. Cone drop test
8. Dry sieve test
9. Gradient test
10. Tensile strength test
11. Pullout test

Application in Civil Engineering

Construction

Shallow Foundations

In the conventional construction techniques

without any use of the reinforcement, a thick
granular layer is needed which may be costly or
may not be possible, especially in the sites of
limited availability of good-quality granular
materials
In usual construction practice, one or more
layers of geosynthetics are placed inside a
controlled granular fill beneath the footings.
Such reinforced foundation soils provide
improved load-bearing capacity and reduced
settlements by distributing the imposed loads
over a wider area of weak subsoil.

Geosynthetic products like Paralink

(Ultra high strength geogrid) as
shown in Figure (a) can be very
effective for use over soft foundation
soils as well as over voids and piles
(Fig. (b)).

The ideal reinforcing pattern of geosynthetic layers placed

horizontally below the footing, which becomes progressively
steeper farther from the footing (Fig. (a)). It means that the
reinforcement should be placed in the direction of the major
principal strain. However, for practical simplicity, geosynthetic
sheets are often laid horizontally as shown in Figure (b).

Filters and Drains

Geosynthetics are being increasingly employed either as filters, in the form

of geotextiles, in conjunction with granular materials and/or pipes (Fig.
(a)), or as both filters and drains in the form of geocomposites (Fig. (b)).
There are several application areas such as pavement edge
drains/underdrains, seepage water transmission systems in pavement base
course layers and railway tracks, abutments and retaining wall drainage
systems, slope drainage, erosion control systems, drains to accelerate
consolidation of soft foundation soils, drainage blanket to dissipate the
excess pore pressure beneath embankments and within the dams and silt
fences/barriers.

A filter consists of any porous material that has openings small enough to
prevent movement of soil into the drain and that is sufficiently
pervious to offer little resistance to seepage.
Geosynthetic filters are being used successfully to replace conventional
graded granular filters in several drainage applications. In fact, filter
structures can be realized by using granular materials (i.e. crushed
stone) or geotextiles or a combination of these materials (Fig.). The
choice between the graded granular filter or geotextile filter depends
on several factors.

In filter applications, the

design
must
be
prepared so as to avoid,
throughout the design
life,
the
following
phenomena
causing
decrease
of
the
permeability of the
geotextile
filter
in
course of time:
Blocking and binding

Erosion Control

The problem of soil movement due to erosive forces by moving

water and/or wind as well as by seeping water is called soil

erosion
Gravity is also one of the prime agents of soil erosion,
particularly on steep slopes.
Soil erosion is associated with negative economic and
environmental consequences in many areas such as agriculture,
river and coastal engineering, highway engineering, slope
engineering and some more sections of civil engineering.

The solutions of soil erosion problems typically involve the use of

basic erosion control techniques such as soil cover and soil retention
The use of revetments is very common in civil engineering practice for
erosion control
A cover layer (called armour) of a revetment can be permeable or
impermeable
A cover layer substantially reduces the uplift pressures and provides
protection against the external loads
Stones, concrete and asphalt slabs are most commonly used as
revetment armours.

Three-dimensional erosion control geosynthetic mats and geocells that are

nowadays commercially available with various dimensions can be used in
permanent erosion control systems
Geocells are three-dimensional honeycomb structures that have a unique
cellular confinement system formed by a series of self-containing cells up to
20 cm deep. They have the ability to physically confine the soil placed inside
the cells (Fig.)
They retain soil, moisture and seed, and thus create situations for the growth
of vegetative mats on slopes where vegetation may be difficult to establish. At
the same time, the cellular confinement system facilitates slope drainage.

The most common and natural element used for erosion control is vegetation
Roots of the grasses protect the slope surface from erosion
The application of vegetation as bank protection is preferred rather than the
application of conventional materials such as riprap, concrete blocks, etc.
If necessary, vegetation and appropriate geosynthetics can be applied in
combination (Fig. a)
Geotextiles and other perforated geosynthetics and open blocks provide
additional strength to the root mat and can reduce much of the direct
mechanical disturbance to plants and soil

Geotextiles are also used in toe and bed protection, which consists of
the armouring of the beach or bottom surface in front of a structure to
prevent scouring and undercutting by water waves and currents (Fig.).
The stability of toe is essential, because its failure will generally lead to
failure of the entire structure

Fig. Different measures taken for slope protection

In many cases, geotextile is used to wrap a fill material (sand, gravel,

asphalt or mortar), creating geobags, geotubes or geomats, known
collectively as geocontainers, which are used in hydraulic and coastal
engineering

Ponds, Reservoirs, and

Canals

Liquid containment and conveyance facilities, such as ponds, reservoirs and

canals, are required in several areas including hydraulic, irrigation and
environmental engineering
Unlined ponds, reservoirs, and canals can lose 2050% of their water to
seepage
Traditionally, soil, cement, concrete, masonry or other stiff materials have
been used for lining ponds, reservoirs and canals.
The effectiveness and longevity of such materials are generally limited due to
cracking, settlement and erosion

Flexible geosynthetic lining materials, such as geomembranes, have

been gaining popularity as the most cost-effective lining solution
alone or in combination with conventional lining material for a
number of applications, including irrigation and potable water

Earth Dams

Earth dams are water impounding massive structures and are normally
constructed using locally available soils and rocks.
One of the principal advantages of earth dams is that their construction is
very economical compared to the construction costs of concrete dams
Apart from the conventional materials used in the earth dam, geosynthetics
are being employed in recent times for new dam constructions and for the
rehabilitation of the older dams
Properly designed and correctly installed geosynthetics, in an earth dam,
contribute to increase in its safety which corresponds to a positive
environmental impact on dam structures

The reasons for which geosynthetics are used extensively in earth dam
construction and rehabilitation are the following:
The use of geosynthetics in earth dams may serve several functions:
water barrier, drainage, filtration, protection and reinforcement
The geosynthetics are soft and flexible therefore, they can endure
some elasto-plastic deformations resulting from the subsidence,
expansion, landslide and seepage of soil
The geosynthetics (geotextiles and geogrids) possess certain
mechanical strength, which is favourable as dam-filling materials
The permeability of geomembranes is much lower than that of clay or
concrete

The long-term performance of various components of an earth dam is critical

to the performance of the dam as a whole
If a geotextile is to be used as a filter, careful assessment of the properties,
extensive testing and monitoring are required to ensure its suitability
The locations in earth dams where geotextile filters may be used are in the
downstream drain and in the downstream drainage blanket
If the dam is subjected to rapid drawdown, then drainage systems using
geosynthetics may also be installed on the upstream side of the core
In the past, geotextile filters, have been used for the construction or the
rehabilitation of numerous embankment dams in various parts of the world.

Tunnels

Tunnels are used for various purposes in civil engineering, including

traffic movement and fluid flow
Waterproof tunnels are required at some sections of the highway and
railway alignments. A crack-free concrete lining is needed for a
waterproof tunnel.
Geotextiles and geomembranes are commonly used in modern-day
tunnel technology to construct waterproof tunnels.

Figure below shows the cross-section of a tunnel vault with the general
arrangement of the lining system
The shotcrete lining placed over the excavated surface provides a smooth
surface for the geosynthetics. In addition the rock surface is supported by the
shotcrete immediately after excavation so that the radially acting forces can be
accepted adhesively.
The geotextile acts as a drainage layer and as protection for a waterproofing
geomembrane. It also acts as a cushion (stress-relieving layer) to significantly
reduce the formation of cracks in the inner concrete lining by allowing free
shrinkage deformation of the concrete during the setting process.

It should be noted that geomembrane sheet sealing with a

protective geotextiles drainage layer has predominated over the
conventional sealing methods such as asphalt membranes or
bitumen-latex based products

Stabilization

Slopes can be natural or man-made

Many of the problems of the stability of natural slopes are radically
different from those of man-made slopes mainly in terms of
1. nature of soil materials involved
2. environmental conditions, location of groundwater level
3. stress history
In man-made slopes, there are also essential differences between cuts and
embankments. The latter are structures which are built with
relatively well-controlled materials.

In cuts, however, this possibility does not exist.

Several slope stabilization methods are available to improve the
stability of unstable slopes. The slope stabilization methods
generally reduce driving forces, increase resisting forces, or both
In recent years geosynthetic-reinforced slopes provide a wide array
of design advantages

Reduce land requirement to facilitate a change in grade

Provide additional usable area at toe or crest of slope
Use available on-site soil to balance earthwork quantities
Eliminate import costs of select fill or export costs of unsuitable fill
Meet steep changes in grade, without the expense of retaining walls
Eliminate concrete face treatments, when not required for surficial stability
or erosion control
Provide a natural vegetated face treatment for environmentally sensitive
areas
Offer a design that is easily adjustable for surcharge loadings from
buildings and vehicles

Application In Railway
Steep Slope Construction
Construction of high banks on soft soil
Erosion control of slope
Protection against rock falls
ROB (Railway over bridge) for Road Loading

Use of Synthetic
Geogrids for Erosion
Control of Natural
Existing Slopes

Construction of Embankment

Typical Cross Section of Embankment

with Prefabricated Vertical Band Drains
Initial
Embankment

Soft
Clay
Layer

Sand
Blanket

Band
drains

Firm
Soil
64

Other Applications In Railway

Track Bed Design
Reinforced Earth Embankment
Formation Rehabilitation

GEOSYNTHETICS APPLICATION IN RAILWAY FORMATION

USES OF GEO-GRID

CONCLUSION
The rapid growth in the geosynthetic market the world over
has lent confidence to the civil engineer in their use.
One should not be tempted to imagine geosynthetics are
magical materials to yield excellent results, without due
consideration of the problem or soil geosynthetic interaction.
Such a blind approach could lead to disaster
The future appears to be more promising with stronger & more
durable geosynthetics emerging into the market along with
fibrous system to be mixed with soil for giving more hope as
well as challenge to the Civil engineer in the years to come