Geotextiles are polymeric materials used in engineering applications such as civil construction and environmental protection. While the materials remain the same, different industries utilize them for various applications. Understanding how geotextile fabrics are used by different industries illuminates how indispensable of an engineering tool they`ve become.
Road Construction
Strengthening the soil under a roadway is an essential aspect of road construction. When a road is being paved or repaired, the soil underneath must be level and stabilized, with little chance of erosion occurring. By laying Geotextile Fabric down, engineers can keep the soil evenly distributed, reduce the chances of rutting and help prevent grooves from forming below the road under the weight of vehicles. The permeable material also helps prevent erosion, as water can run through evenly while the soil remains intact.
Sand Dune Protection
Erosion along bodies of water is an inevitable process that affects anyone working or living nearby. Climate change, rises in sea level, and storm surges naturally speed up erosion while man-made activities such as sand dredging and harbor construction accelerate it. On coastlines, people rely on sand dunes to protect from erosion, which is where geotextiles come in. Geotextiles are used for slope reinforcement on the dunes because of their ability to strengthen their structure while encouraging the natural growth of dune grass. This increased strength helps protect both the environment and manmade infrastructure along the coast.
Geotextile Landfills
Many people aren`t aware of the infrastructure of landfills and how they actually work. Most assume that it`s just a hill where garbage piles up. If this were true, nearby rivers, underlying aquifers and the surrounding environment would be completely contaminated. Geomembranes are used in modern landfill design as a separator between waste and the ground to prevent leachate and other toxic substances from entering the groundwater. Geotextiles can also be used to stabilize the slope of the landfill so it doesn`t continuously topple and spread outward.
Marine Construction
When there is a construction project along or within waterways, they can have an immense impact on local marine and plant life. During the construction of bridges, marinas, ports, and roadways, sediment can get stirred up in the water and wreak havoc on the local environment and ecosystem. Geotextiles are used in the manufacturing of the skirt portion of the turbidity barriers and silt curtains. The fabric helps to filter out the sediments.
Oil and Gas Industry
The oil industry relies heavily upon geotextiles to efficiently carry out daily operations and protect the environment while doing so. Geotextile products come in a wide range of thicknesses and are both chemically and weather-resistant, making them ideal for spill containment. For example, geotextile pad liners provide a non-slip surface for workers while protecting the environment around the well site from equipment failures that cause leaks and spills.
