5. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Types of Geosynthetics
A Geotextiles is a permeable textile structures made of polymeric
materials and are used mainly in civil engineering applications in
conjunction with soil, rock or water.
Geogrids are plastic materials formed into a very open grid like
configuration with very large apertures.
Geomembranes are impervious sheets of rubber or plastics, used
as a moisture or vapor barrier.
Geonets are structures formed by continuous extrusion of
polymeric ribs placed at acute angles to one another, which on
opening will give net like configuration and used to convey fluids.
Geocomposites are usually composed of two geosynthetics.
6. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Why Geotextiles?
1. Non-Uniform Consistency:
Soils are made up of different types of particles such as gravel, sands, silt, clay
and possibly organic materials. Many times, the consistency of the soil (types of
particles) can vary throughout the length of the project. This can have a
significant effect on such factors as drainage, settlement, frost heaves, etc., all of
which can create problems.
2. Unstable Soils
In areas where soils consist of clays, silts and organics, especially in areas that
drain poorly, the subgrade may be unstable. As a result, the unstable soil is not
able to provide adequately support for a road or embankment.
3. Moisture problems
Depending upon the consistency of the soil, the presence of moisture can create
such problems as loss of strength, swelling/shrinking, and frost heave.
8. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Properties of Fibres used in Geotextiles
Polyester Polyamide Polypropylene Polyethylene
Strength H M L L
Elastic modulus H M L L
Strain at failure M M H H
Creep L M H H
Unit weight H M L L
Cost L H L L
Resistance to
U.V. light
H M H H
Alkalis L H H H
Fungus, vermin M M M H
Fuel M M L L
Detergents H H H H
H: High; M: Medium; L: Low
9. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Most Common Geotextile Materials
Polypropylene and Polyester
Good chemical resistance
Low cost
High strength
Polyvinylidene chloride fibre is used in
Japan and in one or two products in the
United States, but not in Europe.
24. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Manufacturing Methods
Woven
Lighter weights are used as soil separators,
filters and erosion control textiles.
Heavier one are used in soil reinforcements in
steep embankments, vertical soil walls.
Plain weave is the most common though
others like basket and twill are also used.
These are woven on wide width looms.
25. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Knitted
Knitted fabrics, as used in the field of geotextiles,
are restricted to warp-knitted textiles.
Warp-knitting machines can produce fine filter
fabrics, medium meshes and large diameter soil
reinforcing grids.
Heat bonded nonwoven
Filaments or short fibres are subjected to heat and
melted at their crossover points.
Bonding additives are added in case of the fibres
with high melting temperature so that at lower
temperatures, these additives will melt and bond
the filaments.
26. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Needlepunched non woven
Made out of blended webs of continuous filaments
and staple fibres.
The fabrics derive mechanical coherence from the
entangling of fibres caused by the barbs on the
reciprocating needle.
In the case of needle punched textiles, considerable
thicknesses (up to more than 10 mm) and weights
greater than 2000gm2
can be achieved.
Chemically bonded nonwoven
It is the least used method. Glue, latex or resin is
added to bind the filaments or short fibres together.
Impregnated web is cured and/or calendered.
27. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Geotextile Properties
Physical
Material - polymer
Thickness
Mass per unit area
Mechanical
Wide width tensile strength
Grab strength/elongation
Trapezoidal tear strength
Puncture strength
Hydraulic Properties
Permittivity / flow rate
Apparent opening size (AOS)
29. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Soil Science
Definition of Soil:
Soil is defined as the entire unconsolidated material that
overlies and is distinguishable from bedrock.
Composed of loosely bound mineral grains of various
sizes and shapes.
Contains voids of varying sizes. These voids contain:
Air
Water
Organics
30. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Engineering Properties of Soil
Varies greatly depending on its physical
properties, however, the behavior of a
soils not exclusively dependant on
physical properties.
Also dependant on arrangement of
particles (Compaction)
32. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Gradation of Soil
Distribution of particles within a soil.
Soils are either:
Well graded – good distribution of particle sizes
Poorly graded – bad distribution of particles
sizes
Uniformly graded – only one soil size
Gap graded – missing soil sizes
33. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Grain Shape
Influences a soils strength and stability
Two general shapes:
Bulky – three dimensional
Angular – recently been broken
Sub angular – sharper points and edges are worn
Sub rounded – further weathered than sub angular
Rounded – no projections and smooth in texture
Platy – two dimensional
34. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Soil Particle Shapes
Density
Determined by the ratio of voids (air and water) to soil particles.
A denser soil has greater strength and stability than a looser soil.
Moisture
Most important factor affecting engineering characteristics.
Moistures affect varies greatly depending on soil type:
Course grained soils usually remains unchanged.
Fine grained soils are susceptible to shrinking and swelling.
Plasticity and Cohesion
Plasticity is the ability of a soil to deform without cracking.
Fine grained soils, like clay, have a wide range of plasticity.
Coarse grained soils, like clean sands and gravels, are non plastic
35. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Shear Resistance of Soil
Related to a soils ability to withstand loads.
California Bearing Ratio (CBR) is a measure of shearing
resistance
CBR is a soil’s ability to support a load relative to that of
soil with known strength (limestone).
Determined by the Soils Test Kit (B2150)
36. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Bearing Capacity
The ability of a soil to support a load applied by an
engineering structure.
A soil with insufficient bearing capacity might fail, by shear,
allowing the structure to sink and shift.
Dense and well graded soil with angular particles generally
has good bearing capacities.
37. R.Senthil Kumar,KCT,Coimbatore
Soil Compaction
Purpose of Compaction :
Most critical component in horizontal construction.
Durability and stability of structures is related to proper
compaction.
Structural failure can often be traced to improper
compaction.
I use this photo of liner removed from the bottom of a pond to illustrate why certain tests are performed. We will look at comparison of test results for different materials.