Geotextiles
- Geotextiles are permeable fabrics that are used in or near the ground to improve the condition of the ground.
- They have the ability to protect rocks and soil, drain water from them, reinforce the rocks/soil, separating different layers to prevent movement and filtering.
- These are generally made from polyester and polypropylene.
- Geotextiles are used for surface stabilisation, erosion reduction and drainage.
- Surface stabilisation attempts to stop the contamination of higher strength upper layers with weaker subsurface materials.
- This can be used in improving soil strength.
- Higher strength geotextiles are used for this purpose.
- Erosion reduction occurs behind a retaining wall to control erosion. An example of this is sand dune armouring.
- Surface stabilisation attempts to stop the contamination of higher strength upper layers with weaker subsurface materials.
- Geotextiles are also used under load bearing structures such as roads and concrete foundations for drainage to prevent the build-up of water pooling.
- This also prevents contamination of the aggregate base.
- Both improve the longevity of the overlying structure.
page revision: 2, last edited: 07 Oct 2011 10:28