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Review
. 2022 Dec 15;14(24):5492.
doi: 10.3390/polym14245492.

Geosynthetics for Filtration and Stabilisation: A Review

Anna Markiewicz  1 , Eugeniusz Koda  1 , Jacek Kawalec  2
Affiliations
Review

Geosynthetics for Filtration and Stabilisation: A Review

Anna Markiewicz et al. Polymers (Basel). .

Abstract

Geosynthetics have been commonly used for the construction of civil engineering structures such as retaining wall, road and railways, coastal protection, soft ground improvement work, and landfill systems since the 1960s. In the past 40 years, the development of polymer materials has helped to prolong the life of geosynthetics. In terms of the practical use of geosynthetics, engineers must understand their appropriate application. The first part of this paper provides a basic description of geosynthetics, including their types, components, and functions. The second part deals with the geosynthetics used as filters. This part briefly presents the mechanism of filtration, the factors affecting the durability of geotextile filters, design concepts, laboratory tests, and case studies. The third part of the study covers the use of geosynthetics for stabilisation. Its mechanism was explained separately for geogrids and for geocells. Several examples of applications with geosynthetics intended for the stabilisation function are described in the last part of this paper.

Keywords: civil engineering; drainage; filtration; geosynthetics; polymers; stabilisation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Types of geosynthetics (adapted from [1]).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Examples of: (a) woven geotextile; (b) knitted geotextile; (c) nonwoven geotextile.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Scheme of needle-punching process (adapted from [12]).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Examples of: (a) geogrid; (b) geonet; (c) geocell; (d) geostrip; € geomat; (f) geospacer.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Examples of: (a) geomembrane; (b) geosynthetic clay layers.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Examples of geocomposites: (a) drainage geocomposite; (b) drainage geocomposite; (c) reinforcement geocomposite.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Polymer molecular structure of (a) PP; (b) PET; (c) PE.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Applications of geosynthetics: (a) reservoirs and dams; (b) canal; (c) road; (d) tunnel and underground structures; I landfill; (f) retaining wall; (g) surface erosion control system; (h) drainage system; (i) coastal protection; (j) liquid waste; (k) asphalt reinforcement; (l) railways; (m) secondary containment; (n) waterproofing and underground structures [47,48].
Figure 9
Figure 9
Blocking (a); blinding (b); and internal clogging (c) of geotextile filter.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Gradient ratio versus time (adapted from [54]).
Figure 11
Figure 11
Gradient ratio versus time and hydraulic gradient (adapted from [78]).
Figure 12
Figure 12
Comparison of retention criteria (adapted from [104]).
Figure 13
Figure 13
Selected applications of geotextile filters: (a) tunnels; (b) bridgeheads; (c) foundation drainage systems; (d) dams; € underdrains; (f) sports drainage systems [48].
Figure 14
Figure 14
Radiowo landfill: drainage ditches construction.
Figure 15
Figure 15
Białobrzegi earthfill dam: drainage system construction (adapted from [48]); 1—old drainage; 2—ground level after renovation; 3—ground level before renovation; 4—nonwoven geotextile; 5—stone drainage (thickness 0.3 m); 6—crush stone (thickness 0.2 m).
Figure 16
Figure 16
Two mechanisms providing support stabilisation (via confinement) (left) and reinforcement (via tensioned membrane (right)) (adapted from [123]).
Figure 17
Figure 17
Different types of deformations on sub-base and subgrade surfaces (adapted from [123]).
Figure 18
Figure 18
Confinement of particles provided by aggregate interlocking in geogrid apertures (left) and its magnitude distribution [124].
Figure 19
Figure 19
Stabilising mechanism in geocells (adapted from [125]).
Figure 20
Figure 20
Influence from mining activity on road pavement [44].
Figure 21
Figure 21
Example of geomattress formed from geogrids and recycled aggregate (mining wastes).
Figure 22
Figure 22
Aggregate (left) and geogrid (right) used to construct stabilised working platform [139].
Figure 23
Figure 23
Plate load test to determine bearing capacity of stabilised working platform [139].
Figure 24
Figure 24
Location of the geogrid for ballast stabilisation [141].
Figure 25
Figure 25
Measurement of modulus along observed track on different sections (adapted from [144]).
Figure 26
Figure 26
Reduction in particle angular acceleration over time (adapted from [145]).
Figure 27
Figure 27
Traffic application equipment and traffic pattern: (a) overall view of load cart; (b) close-up of test gear configuration; (c) normally distributed pattern; (d) traffic application pattern [126].
Figure 28
Figure 28
ERDC test sections build-up (adapted from [148]).
Figure 29
Figure 29
Automated plate load tests (APLT) used to determine in situ resilient modulus of aggregate layer.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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