The Various Uses Of Geotextiles And Industrial Fabrics In Civil Engineering
There are many uses of geotextiles and industrial fabrics in civil engineering. They can be used in road construction, dam building and on construction sites. The purpose is mainly to keep loose soil in place while at the same time allowing for drainage. There are several different types that range from very course netting to impervious membranes.
Using synthetic materials as opposed to natural gives them much better durability and they would be used in cases where they would need to be less temporary. Woven material can be made from plastic fibers such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Needle punched and heat bonded varieties look more like felt. Continuous sheets of plastic or rubber will be used for impermeable linings.
Laying down a light weight sheet on steep embankments can be the quickest and least expensive way of maintaining structural integrity. Due to their permeability they will still allow water to pass through while preventing soil from being washed away. Netting can also be erected vertically like a small fence that will catch soil that is washed away by rain.
These fences are also used a lot to keep sand dunes at beaches in place. The reason for doing this is because they act as a barrier during storm surges. Sand filled tubes are used to create a much sturdier barrier against sand erosion in some cases.
They can also be placed between layers of sand. This is useful in road construction where various layers need to be kept separate. If the layers where to become intermixed under pressure it could cause weak spots and ruts to form. Netting can also be placed underground to prevent the tree roots from growing into underground structures.
The fact that it can keep the soil in place while still allowing water through is very useful for drainage. Gulleys or channels can be lined to allow water to run away without causing erosion. Lining landfill sites also keeps the structures in place while allowing water to pass though. Solid membranes can be used for lining dams and reservoirs or as covers to prevent evaporation.
For different purposes it might be necessary to cut large sections into smaller strips. In other applications it might be necessary to sew strips together. If the surface is smooth an continuous enough they can also be printed on. There are not just many uses of geotextiles and industrial fabrics they are thoroughly tested and behave predictably. Because they can be made to very strict standards it is possible to create specification by which to work.