Review Article
Vol 4 issue 2(2017)
(Jan - Jun 2017)
Nehru E- Journal
A Journal of Nehru Arts and Science College (NASC)
Journal Home Page: http://nehrucolleges.net/jo.html
ISSN: 2349-9052
GEOTEXTILES -THE FABRIC OF EROSION CONTROL
S. JayaPriya*, Dr. G. Bagyalakshmi**
* Assistant Prof. & Head, Department of Costume Design and Fashion, Nehru Arts and Science College,
Coimbatore-641 105.
** Assistant Professor (SS), Department of Textiles and Clothing, Avinashi lingam Institute for Home Science and
Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore - 641043
Keywords:
Geotextiles,
functional,
technical
INTRODUCTION
Abstract
Geotextiles are used since thousands of years. Geotextiles were
used in roadway structure in the days of the Pharaohs to stabilise roadways and their
boundaries. Geotextiles in before time were made of natural fibres, fabrics or vegetation
mixed with soil to get better road quality, predominantly when roads were finished on
unstable soil. in recent times geotextiles are utilized and evaluated for modern road
construction. Jute-based geosynthetics are finding escalating satisfactoriness in the midst of
geotechnical engineers principally because of its eco-concordance, ability in manufacturing
of tailor-made fabrics and cost competitiveness.
Geotextiles, a newly promising field in the civil engineering and other fields,
proffer huge potential in diverse areas of function worldwide. Geotextiles play a significant
part in present roadway design and protection
growth
in theirThe
wide-reaching
industriestechniques.
also due to The
scientific
advances.
variety and
use for transportation purpose in multiplicity
particular, ofhas
nothing short of exceptional.
rawbeen
materials,
Geotextiles are perfect materials for infrastructural workings such as roads, harbors and
many others. They have a intense future, thanks to its multifunctional distinctiveness.
.
processes, products and applications that it includes is
Textiles are essential part of human life. They are
used mainly to wrap the human body for protection against
all the harsh conditions. Technological novelty has also
made it possible for textile industry to offer technical
solutions to the multiple end-users in the different
industries. Over the past century, much focus has been
placed on the sustainability of the earth’s environment.
This concern, accompanied by a recent boom in the interest
immense. Depending on the product characteristics,
functional requirements and end-use applications the highly
diversified range of technical textile products have been
clustered into 12 sectors application-wise:
2.1. WHAT IS A GEOTEXTILE?
A geotextile is defined as any permeable
textile matter that is used with groundwork, soil,
of healthy living, has influenced many research projects.
rock, earth, etc to raise stability and reduce wind
TECHNICAL TEXTILES
and water erosion. A geotextile can be synthetic or
Technical textiles are not a single consistent
industry and market segment is different and extensive. Its
handling is in diverse industries from aero space to
railways to construction etc. and is increasing in other
*Corresponding Author Tel:91E.Mail Addresss: [email protected]
natural fibers. In contrast, a geomembrane is a
continuous
membrane-type
Geomembranes
must
have
lining
or
barrier.
sufficiently
low
permeability to manage migration of fluid in a
Mrs. S. JayaPriya*, Dr. G. Bagyalakshmi**2017 E-J. 1 (2017)
A
fibers/filaments is achieved through a process called
geotextile is designed to be permeable to allow the
“needle punching”. Needle-punched nonwoven geotextiles
constructed
project,
structure
or
system.
flow of fluids through it or in it, and a
geomembrane is designed to restrict the fluid flow.
are best appropriate for a wide variety of civil engineering
applications and are the most widely used type of geotextile
in the world. Interlocking of the fibers/filaments could also
be attained through “thermal bonding”. Heat-bonded
geotextiles should be used with concern, as they are not
suitable for filtration applications or road stabilization
applications over soft soils1.
2.2.
IMPORTANT
CHARACTERISTICS
OF
GEOTEXTILES
The characteristics of geotextiles are broadly classified as:
2.2.1. Physical properties:
a) specific gravity b) weight c) thickness d)
stiffness e) density .
2.2.2. Mechanical properties:
a) tenacity b) tensile strength c) bursting strength
d) drapability e) compatibility
f) flexibility g) tearing
strength h) frictional resistance
2.2.3. Hydraulic properties:
a) porosity b) permeability c) permittivity
Fig 1. End use application wise segments of technical
transitivity e) turbidity /soil retention
d)
f) filtration length
etc.
textiles
2.2.4. Degradation properties:
Geotextiles have proven to be among the most
versatile and cost-effective ground modification materials.
Their use has extended quickly into nearly all areas of civil,
geotechnical,
environmental,
coastal,
and
hydraulic
engineering. They form the major component of the field of
geosynthetics, the others being geogrids, geomembranes
and geocomposites. The ASTM (1994) defines geotextiles
a) biodegradation b) hydrolytic degradation c)
photo degradation d) chemical degradation e) mechanical
degradation f) other degradation occurring due to attack of
rodent, termite etc.
2.2.5. Endurance properties:
a) elongation b) abrasion resistance c) clogging
length and flow etc.
as permeable textile materials used in contact with soil,
rock, earth or any other geotechnical related material as an
integral part of civil engineering project, structure, or
Different fibres from both natural as well as
synthetic category can be used as geotextiles for various
system.
Based on their arrangement and the manufacturing
procedure, geotextiles may be classified into woven and
nonwoven. Woven geotextiles are manufactured by the
interlacement of warp and weft yarns, which may be of
spun, multifilament, fibrillated or of slit film. Nonwoven
geotextiles are manufactured through a process of
mechanical
2.3. SELECTION OF FIBRE FOR GEOTEXTILES
interlocking
fibers/filaments.
or
Mechanical
thermal
bonding
interlocking
of
of
the
applications.
2.3.1. Natural fibres:
Natural fibers in the form of paper strips, jute
nets, wood shavings or wool mulch are used as geotextiles.
In few soil reinforcement applications, geotextiles have to
serve for more than 100 years. But bio-degradable natural
geotextiles are purposely manufactured to have relatively
petite life. They are normally used for prevention of soil
Nehru E – Journal – A Journal for Arts, Science and Humanities
Mrs. S. JayaPriya*, Dr. G. Bagyalakshmi**2017 E-J. 1 (2017)
erosion until vegetation can become properly recognized on
in 1935. The next oldest of the four main polymer families
the ground surface. The commonly used natural fibres are –
applicable to geotextile manufacture is polyester, which
2.3.1.1. Ramie:
was announced in 1941. The most latest polymer family
These are subtropical bast fibres, which are
relevant to geotextiles to be developed was polypropylene,
obtained from their plants 5 to 6 times a year. The fibres
which was discovered in 1954.
have silky luster and have white appearance even in the
3. GEOTEXTILE FUNCTIONS:
unbleached condition. They constitute of pure cellulose and
The mode of operation of a geotextile in any
possess highest tenacity among all plant fibres.
application is defined by six discrete functions: separation,
2.3.1.2. Jute:
filtration, drainage, reinforcement, sealing and protection.
This is a versatile vegetable fibre which is
Depending on the application the geotextile performs one
biodegradable and has the ability to mix with the soil and
or more of these functions simultaneously.
serve as a nutrient for vegetation. Their quick
3.1. Separation:
biodegradability becomes weakness for their use as a
Separation is defined as, “The introduction of a
geotextile. However, their life period can be extended even
flexible porous textile placed between dissimilar materials
up to 20 years through different treatments and
so that the integrity and the functioning of both the
blendings. Thus, it is possible to manufacture intended
materials can remain intact or be improved” (Koerner,
biodegradable jute geotextile, having specific tenacity,
1993) [3]. In transportation applications separation refers to
porosity, permeability, transmissibility according to need
the geotextile’s role in preventing the intermixing of two
and location specificity. Soil, soil composition, water,
adjacent soils. For example, by separating fine subgrade
water quality, water flow, landscape etc. physical situation
soil from the aggregates of the base course, the geotextile
determines the application and choice of what kind of jute
preserves the drainage and the strength characteristics of
geotextiles should be used.
the aggregate material. The effect of separation is
In comparision to synthetic geotextiles, though jute
illustrated in figure 2.
geotextileas are less durable but they also have some
advantages in certain area to be used particularly in agromulching and similar area to where quick consolidation are
to take place. For erosion control and rural road
considerations, soil protection from natural and seasonal
degradation caused by rain, water, monsoon, wind and cold
weather are very important parameters. Jute geotextiles, as
separator, reinforcing and drainage activities, along with
topsoil erosion in shoulder and cracking are used quite
acceptably. Besides, after degradation of jute geotextiles,
lignomass is produced, which increases the soil organic
content, fertility, texture and also improve vegetative
Figure 2, Concept of separation Function
Some of the applications areas are:

growth with further consolidation and stability of soil.
2.3.2. Synthetic Fibres:
amid subgrade and stone base in unpaved and
paved roads and airfields

among subgrade in railroads
The four main synthetic polymers most widely

between land fills and stone base courses
used as the raw material for geotextiles are –polyester,

sandwiched between geomembranes and sand
polyamide, polyethylene and polypropylene. The aged of
drainage layers
these is polyethylene which was discovered in 1931 by ICI.

under sidewalks slabs
One more group of polymers with a long production history

below curb areas
is the polyamide family, the first of which was discovered

beneath parking lots
Nehru E – Journal – A Journal for Arts, Science and Humanities
Mrs. S. JayaPriya*, Dr. G. Bagyalakshmi**2017 E-J. 1 (2017)

main advantage of reinforced soil retaining structure are
underneath sport and athletic fields
their cost effectiveness and the ease of their sturcture2.
3.2. Filtration:
It is defined as “the equilibrium geotextile-to-soil
3.5. Sealing Function:
system that allows for adequate liquid flow with limited
A nonwoven geotextile performs this function
soil loss across the plane of the geotextile over a service
when imbued with asphalt or other polymeric mixes
lifetime
under
descripting it relatively impermeable to both cross-plane
consideration (Koerner, 1993) [3]. To perform this function
and in-plane flow. The classic application of a geotextile as
the
a liquid barrier is paved road rehabilitation, as shown in
compatible
geotextile
needs
with
to
the
assure
application
two
contradictory
requirements: the filter’s pore size must be small enough to
Figure 4.
retain fine soil particles while the geotextile should allow
Here the nonwoven geotextile is placed on the existing
relatively unimpeded flow of water into the drainage media.
pavement surface following the application of an asphalt
An ordinary purpose illustrating the filtration function is
tack coat. The geotextile absorbs asphalt and turn out to be
the use of a geotextile in a pavement edge drain, as shown
a waterproofing membrane minimizing vertical flow of
in figure 3.
water into the pavement structure.
Figure 4 Sealing Function
4. APPLICATION OF GEOTEXTILES
Figure 3 Filtration and Transmissivity Functions
3.3. Drainage (Transmissivity):
Woven geotextile looks like burlap. It is a fabric
made of two sets of parallel strands methodically interlaced
This refers to the capability of thick nonwoven
to form a thin, flat fabric The strands are of two kinds - slit
geotextile whose three-dimensional structures offer an
film which are flat, or monofilaments which are round. The
opportunity for flow of water through the plane of the
way these two sets of yarns are interlaced determines the
geotextile. Figure 3 also illustrates the Transmissivity task
weave pattern that in turn establishes the best function for
of geotextile. Here the geotextile encourages lateral flow
that woven fabric. Weave patterns come in a virtually
thereby dissipating the kinetic energy of the capillary rise
limitless range that do affect some properties of the fabric.
of ground water.
Woven geotextiles are generally preferred for applications
3.4. Reinforcement:
where elevated strength properties are needed, but where
This is the synergistic improvement in the total
filtration requirements are less critical and planar flow is
system potency fashioned by the opening of a geotextile
not a consideration. These fabrics lessen localized cut off
into a soil and developed first and foremost through the
failure in weak subsoil conditions, improving construction
following three mechanisms: One, lateral restraint through
over soft subsoil and providing access to remote areas
interfacial friction between geotextile and soil/aggregate.
through separation.
Two, forcing the potential bearing surface failure plane to
Ideally, vegetation can form the best erosion
develop at alternate higher shear strength surface. And
control, but this is often not easy to set up. The use of
three, membrane type of support of the wheel loads.The
hydroseeding or seed impregnated fabric can be an
Nehru E – Journal – A Journal for Arts, Science and Humanities
Mrs. S. JayaPriya*, Dr. G. Bagyalakshmi**2017 E-J. 1 (2017)
effective method to establish vegetation. Hydroseeding,
normally provides good margins. There is a stable growth
sometimes referred to as hydromulching is a process of
of both consumption and production of technical textiles
planting grass that is fast, proficient and inexpensive. A
throughout the world. A view of gaining ground that
mix is made of mulch, seed, fertilizer, and water. This mix
technical textile industry in the developed world is budding
is then pumped and sprayed onto the ground where the
in some noteworthy ways and escalation of technical
slurry with a consistency of papier-mache provides an ideal
textiles in developed economies.
germination medium.
Geotextiles are only superior to hydroseeding: 1)
when the growing season is short and plants cannot
Reference
1.
GREGORY
RICHARDSON
N.,
stabilize the slope quickly, 2) at high altitudes, or 3) where
CHRISTOPHER R., Geotextiles in
major storms are a frequent occurrence. Too often,
Transportation
synthetic
Course, 1998
geotextiles
are
uses
in
situations
where
hydroseeding would be a far more appropriate choice. This
2.
Applications,
Related
maintenance required.
Netherland, 1990, Pg 39.
3.
failures until erosion is too far advanced to effectively and
cheaply remediate the slope. When advanced erosion is
Featured
Short
Den Hoedt, Geo textiles, Geo memberanes and
overuse of geotextiles is because of the ease of use and low
Geotextile use will sometimes facade slope
BARRY
Products,
Balkema
Publishers,
http://www.usfabricsinc.com/geotextileapplication
s
4.
noticed it means expensive restoration. In contrast when a
http://www.alyaf.com/Geotextiles%20in%20Trans
portation%20Applications.pdf
hydroseeded area has crust failure, whether from weather,
5.
http://www.multigeo.com/
human or animal activity, the damage is visible early and
6.
http://seminarprojects.com/Thread-geotextiles-in-
can be economically restored.
Erosion control covers a variety of conditions
from high velocity stream flow to heavy wave action, to
less severe conditions. All conditions should be measured
previous to the selection of control method.
transportation-applications-full-report
7.
http://www.jute.com/HTML/Paper%20on%20JGT
%20in%20EC%20&%20Roads.pdf
8. http://www.bvmengineering.ac.in/docs/published
%20papers/civilstruct/struct/101052.pdf
5. Conclusion
Textiles are not just clothing the human body but
also helps our mother land in order to protect her.
Widespread awareness should be created in the midst of the
people about the relevance of geotextiles. Geotextiles are
effective tools in the hands of the civil engineer that have
proved to solve a myriad of geotechnical problems. To
discover the potential of geotextile more researches are
considered necessary in this field.
The trend in the various sectors in the textile
industry in many industrialized countries point out that the
utilization of conventional textiles has reached a static level
and its manufacture has become extremely competitive,
often unviable and several companies are switching over to
value-added technical textiles with capability to meet
purposeful demands for precision applications. As use of
technical textiles is dictated by necessitate, its pricing
Nehru E – Journal – A Journal for Arts, Science and Humanities