We present basic information on geosynthetics in terms of the criteria of structures, physical parameters, raw materials of manufacture and features to be taken into account in their application.

GEOSYNTHETICS – TYPES OF STRUCTURES

• Woven geotextiles,
• Non-woven geotextiles,
• Geoknit fabric,
• Geogrids,
• Geomesh,
• Geocells,
• Geomats,
• Geomembranes,
• Geocomposites,
• others.

PARAMETERS AND DATA OF GEOSYNTHETICS

• Type of raw material of the geosynthetic,
• Type of structure (non-woven, woven, mesh, grid, geocomposite),
• Surface weight (grammage),
• Thickness at different loads,
• Temporary tensile strength (along and across the strand),
• Elongation at the break point,
• Puncture strength (CBR method or cone penetration resistance method).

THE MAIN RAW MATERIALS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GEOTEXTILES ARE:

• Polypropylene PP,
• Polyester PES, PET,
• PEHD high density polyethylene,

Raw materials used to a lesser extent include polyvinyl chloride PVC, polyamides PA and others, as well as special materials with high tensile stiffness, low creep and good chemical resistance, such as polyvinyl alcohol PVA and aramid. PVC polyvinyl chloride, PE polyethylene, acrylic resins and bitumen are used as sheathing coatings. Plant-based materials are used to make degradable geotextiles (biomat or biotextiles): flax, cotton, jute, coconut fibre and others.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICATION OF GEOSYNTHETICS

• Resistance to mechanical loads,
• Resistance to variable moisture,
• Frost resistance,
• Resistance to chemical aggressiveness of soil,
• Durability of mechanical properties,
• Durability of hydraulic properties,
• Flexibility, Mold resistance,
• Resistance to fungi,
• Resistance to microorganisms,
• Non-toxic to the natural environment,
• Harmless to drinking water,
• Resistance to UV radiation,
• Weathering resistance,
• Water resistance,
• Resistance to increased temperature,
• Resistance to low temperature,
• Resistance to silting with soil particles,
• Resistance to penetration of soil particles,
• Water permeability.