What are the Applications of Geosynthetics in Civil Engineering?

Geosynthetics are a broad category of materials, such as geopolymers, geotubes, and geotextile. Today, the role and importance of geosynthetics in civil engineering processes have increased because they can be used to resolve a wide range of issues with a minimum budget.

One of the most popular applications of geosynthetics is to support weak foundations and act as barriers to regular hazardous materials and waste. There are many other applications of geosynthetics in civil engineering. Keep reading to learn all about them.

What are Geosynthetics?

Applying geotechnical techniques to environmental problems falls within the purview of geo-environmental engineering.

Cleaning up contaminated sites, water resource engineering, wastewater treatment, handling and storing trash, pollution control, rebuilding and protecting coastal areas, and flood control are a few examples.

When it comes to application, geosynthetics plays a bigger role in the interaction with soil, rock, and numerous geotechnical materials. A wide range of geosynthetics is available; they can be either synthetic or natural. Geotubes and geotextiles are some of the many examples of geosynthetics.

Application of Geosynthetics in Roadways

Impermeable polymeric sheets called geomembranes are used as solid and liquid waste containment barriers. Geogrids are sheets of a stiff or flexible polymer that resemble a grid. They have large gaps and are often used to reinforce garbage piles and unstable soil.

Geonets are sheets of stiff polymer that resemble a net and have in-plane perforations. They are mostly used as a drainage medium for landfills.

Bentonite clay layers that are incorporated between geotextiles and/or geomembranes and used as a liquid and solid waste containment barrier are known as geosynthetic clay liners. Geo pipes are polymeric pipes with solid or perforated walls that are used to drain a range of liquids.

The following geosynthetic types can be combined to create geocomposites through which hybrid systems can be utilized to tackle issues with soil, rocks, trash, and liquids. Lightweight geofoam blocks can be utilized to fill gaps in particular building projects.

Applications of Geosynthetics in Drainage Systems

Geosynthetics can be used as drains and filters in civil and environmental activities in addition to replacement of conventional granular materials. Geosynthetics are more convenient to use in the field and are typically more affordable when granular materials are unavailable, scarce, or when their use is restricted by environmental regulations.

Traditional graded granular materials are used for filtration and drainage in many civil engineering projects. There are many different sizes and shapes of aggregate drains. The most common type of drain with aggregate filling is the French drain, which is a trench filled with freely draining aggregates.

The drainage requirement for a conventional graded filter design is expensive to satisfy. The conditions can be swiftly and affordably created using a geosynthetic drainage system with modern geotubes. It has a drain and a filter. 

Along the geosynthetic plane, water can flow without restriction. Moreover, geosynthetic keeps soil particles in place while allowing water to pass through its plane. This is one of the geosynthetics’ most effective uses.

Application of Geosynthetics in Slope Stabilization

Geotextile has been utilized successfully on multiple occasions to sustain steep slopes in reclaimed soil and weathered rock.

As a tensile reinforcement and filter, geotextile is used to stabilize slopes or embankments. The geotextile is typically layered horizontally within the slope. It is parallel to the slope and cuts through areas where soil could slide.

The geotextile will reduce pore water pressure in the slopes during the wet season, improving shear strength. Additionally, acting as a filter, the geotextile stops soil migration, also known as internal erosion, within the slope.

Finally, the soil along probable sliding zones or planes is strengthened with the geotextile. All of them will increase the stability of the slope. This is one of the geosynthetics’ most effective uses. Numerous variables affect the choice of geotextile in geotechnical engineering.

The first is that granular materials are used to construct geotechnical structures; erosion, settlement, and earthquakes can compromise the continuity of granular soil layers, but a geotextile layer does not.

A bi-dimensional, flexible material called geotextile is also well suited for geotechnical structures that are subject to a variety of movements. Geotextiles can also be employed at the surface of large geotechnical constructions as a liner, protection, or layer interface.

For a variety of reasons, contractors, designers, and owners have chosen to use geotextiles in geotechnical engineering.

In Summary

Many issues faced in civil engineering can be resolved with geosynthetics. The substance prevents erosion, shields or redirects water, and stabilizes soil and buildings.

It can be manufactured from a variety of substances, including rubber, plastic, and fibres. Because geosynthetics reduces environmental consequences and creates a more livable environment for people, it is a crucial component of sustainable architecture.