With geotextile fabrics being so widely used on today’s active job sites, it’s difficult to believe that this technology did not even exist eight decades ago. This technology, which is commonly used to separate soil layers, has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry.
While the market for geotextiles did not even exist 70 years ago, it had grown to a $4.1 billion global market by 2018. And it is still rapidly expanding. This figure is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.1 percent through 2025.
The effectiveness of the products has fueled the extremely rapid growth of the geotextile market. This technology is now an accepted best management practice, mandated by government agencies, specified by design consultants, and routinely employed by contractors, cities, and towns, and property owners.
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Geotextile fabric
Geotextile fabrics provide significant value when properly specified and installed. Soil separation is the most common and obvious benefit of all geotextile applications. The fabrics prevent soil layers from mixing by separating them.
The construction industry struggled with mixing soil layers during the site construction process prior to the evolution of geotextile technology. Processed gravel applied to the surface of a road, for example, would frequently sink into softer subsoils. “When you spread 50 pounds of stone over 50 pounds of mud, you end up with 100 pounds of mud!” says an old adage in the road-building industry. The heavier stone will simply blend in with the softer subsurface material. Such mixing and contamination are effectively eliminated when geotextile fabrics are properly installed over the subsurface material.
Choosing the most appropriate and site-specific geotextile fabric is critical to achieving the desired results. By far the most commonly used types are woven and non-woven. Woven geotextiles are made from woven slit film polypropylene. They are very effective at bridging wet or inferior soil layers because they combine high strength and low permeability. Non-woven geotextiles combine the strength of woven fabrics with high permeability, making them an excellent choice for applications that require separation as well as filtration. Non-woven fabrics are made of needle-punched polypropylene, which allows for simultaneous separation and filtration.
Aside from woven and non-woven geotextiles, there are two other important geotextile product groups in the ground stabilization toolbox. They are geotextiles made of woven monofilament and spun-bound geotextiles. Woven monofilaments combine woven fabric strength with non-woven fabric permeability. Spun-bound fabrics, on the other hand, combine the toughness of woven geotextiles with the permeability of non-woven products.
Geotextiles woven presto-geo-products Woven geotextile fabrics are commonly used beneath driveways, parking lots, residential streets, and highways. The products have been shown to be especially effective in bridging over wet, weaker, or less desirable subgrade materials. In such cases, the fabric’s low permeability provides both long-term separation and stabilization.
When specified and installed correctly, woven geotextiles improve performance, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and extend project life.
Geotextiles that are not woven
When both soil separation and permeability are required, non-woven geotextiles are used. These materials are frequently used to wrap French drains and in conjunction with other subsurface drainage solutions. Non-wovens are also commonly used beneath rock riprap revetment, where separation and drainage are essential.
For example, if a new gravel driveway is being built over dry or well-drained subsoils, moisture should be allowed to pass through the fabric in both directions. This set of conditions allows for subsurface absorption during and after rain events, while also facilitating evaporation between wet periods.
Geotextiles Woven Monofilament
Woven monofilament geotextiles are used in specialized applications that require a strong combination of strength and filtration. Unlike traditional woven geotextiles, which are made of highly impermeable slit tape, woven monofilaments are made of individual filaments that are woven together in a screen-like fashion.
The products have different opening sizes to match soil characteristics in order to combine high strength with strong flow characteristics. Because of their distinct properties, woven monofilaments are frequently specified for use beneath articulated concrete mat systems. They are also frequently specified beneath the surface of high-flow drainage channels where both high strength and strong drainage are critical.
Geotextiles Made from Spun Fibers
Spun-bound geotextiles are frequently used when high strength, durability, and permeability are required. During the manufacturing process, the product is spun, rolled, and heated to create a tough yet permeable product.
Spun-bound geotextiles are frequently specified where high strength and long product life are required, such as in landscaping and recreational applications, septic system construction, and subsurface drainage.
Design and Technical Support
Finally, each of the aforementioned categories offers a wide range of product options. Please contact your local Team EJP marketing representative for assistance in selecting the best product for your needs. When more specialized technical assistance is required, your local representative will contact one of Team EJP’s industry-leading vendor partners to assist in identifying the best solution.
Summary:
Geotextile fabrics are an important part of any construction project, but choosing the right one can be difficult. With so many different types and uses, it’s important to know which geotextile fabric is right for your project. This summary will help you understand the different types of geotextile fabrics and how to select the best one for your needs.
