Geosynthetics are man made material composed generally from polymeric material. These material products are often key components of a structure or system, used to accomplish various engineering purposes or aspects.

The prefix ‘geo’ represents the application has to do with rock, soil and/or earth. All geosynthetic material offers at least one of the following key functions. Some of the products might even deliver more than one function in a single unit. This helps in streamlining the project planning process by bringing down the number of products needed to coordinate.

Continue to read till the end to find out the ultimate functions that all geosynthetics may more or less offer.

1. Filtration

Geosynthetics are known for providing filtration function by allowing water passage through the soil in both directions. The seeping rainfall downward through the soil tends to carry along several chemicals and other contaminants especially on cultivation lands, next to roadways and around manufacturing facilities.

Geocomposites and geotextiles are two primary types of geosynthetics that are used to serve this purpose. The filtration function is mainly engineered to prevent soil loss that helps in controlling erosion. Water is suitably enabled to flow into the ground without carrying around any unwanted particles mixed in or valuable minerals.

2. Reinforcement

Geosynthetics such as grids and geotextiles also offer high-efficiency reinforcement performance. This type of function is primarily needed in slopes and areas where water passage occurs over the exposed soil’s surface. Geogrids and nets may even enable for drainage operations but most probably the reinforcement performance, all thanks to the increased contact with individual soil particles.

Reinforcement function is also needed for roadways that most probably have to endure heavy loads over a period as the suitable geosynthetics will prevent them from splitting or spreading forces.

3. Separation

This is probably the most common function of geosynthetics that is also super essential for construction of roadway. Without separation, the roadways would rapidly spread and crack from the continuous downward loads pressing them together.

Geocomposites, geomembranes, geotextiles, geofoams and geocells are used to meet this goal. Aside from roadways, the agricultural and manufacturing sites also benefit from separation performance with the isolation of soil layers and prevent shifting if they are allowed to blend with another soil layer.

4. Drainage 

When there is a requirement for water to get absorbed into the soil below, without resulting in flood or erosion then the use of geosynthetics offering drainage functions are ideally chosen.

Geosynthetics such as geotextiles or geosynthetic clay liners have thin layers that enable water to seep down slowly in a controlled fashion. The geosynthetics incorporate better penetration rate for soils that are not porous and increase the chances of flooding and erosion.

There are different types of geosynthetics available that perform either of these functions or even provide one or many functions at once. Consider your requirements and pick the right choice of geosynthetics products for the sites.