Geo-Textiles

Natural Fibers

• Jute: Biodegradable, used for temporary erosion control.

• Coir (Coconut fiber): Longer-lasting than jute, excellent for soil stabilization in bioengineering.

• Sisal, Hemp: Used less frequently, mainly in low-cost, temporary works.

Woven Geotextiles

• Made by interlacing yarns.

• High tensile strength, low elongation.

• Applications: soil stabilization, separation, reinforcement.

Knitted Geotextiles

• Less common; offer elasticity and flexibility.

• Used in specialized reinforcement applications.a

Nonwoven Geotextiles

• Made by bonding fibers via needle-punching, heat-bonding, or chemical bonding.

• High permeability, good filtration.

• Applications: drainage, filtration, erosion control.

Application-Specific Classification

• Separation: Woven PP or PET geotextiles (road base & subgrade separation).

• Filtration & Drainage: Nonwoven PP geotextiles (under drains, behind retaining walls).

• Reinforcement: High-strength woven PET or geogrid composites (slope stabilization, retaining wall reinforcement).

• Erosion Control: Biodegradable jute/coir mats (temporary control until vegetation grows).

• Containment & Barriers: Geocomposites with PE or PVC for landfills and water reservoirs.

Synthetic Fibers

• Polypropylene (PP): Most common; lightweight, chemically inert, high resistance to biological degradation.

• Polyester (PET): High tensile strength, good creep resistance, but sensitive to alkaline environments.

• Polyethylene (PE): Good chemical resistance, but lower strength.

• Polyamide (Nylon): Strong, flexible, but can degrade under UV exposure.

• PVC-coated fibers: Used when impermeability is needed.

Based on Manufacturing Process