What Are Geosynthetics? A Beginner’s Guide

Modern construction, road building, scientific agriculture, or even waste management are heavily reliant on geosynthetic materials. 

From erosion control to civil engineering, geosynthetics do much more – they quietly help us create contemporary infrastructure by safeguarding people, materials, and the environment.

But what are these geosynthetics? How can they help you? And where should you use them?

That’s exactly what we’re going to tell you about in this blog. We’ll go through its definition, applications, and advantages. 

Let’s dive in!

What Are Geosynthetics: Table of Contents

• What are Geosynthetics: Definition & Etymology
• What are the Key Functions & Uses of Geosynthetics?
• What are the Common Types of Geosynthetics?
• The Advantages of Geosynthetics
• Indonet: The Leading Supplier of Geosynthetics in India
• What are Geosynthetics: FAQs

What are Geosynthetics: Definition & Etymology

Geosynthetics are engineered synthetic materials that are made primarily from polymers like polypropylene, polyester, and HDPE. They are designed to interact with soil or rock to improve their mechanical and hydraulic properties.

They are engineered to separate, reinforce, filter, drain, and contain surfaces such as slopes, foundations, embankments, and landfills.

Think of them as a multi-purpose material made for civil engineers. Each type is designed by geosynthetic manufacturers to solve specific ground-related problems: making structures stronger, highly durable, and more cost-effective. 

Etymology

The term “geosyntetics” itself is a combination of two words: 

• The Greek prefix “geo-” meaning “earth.”
• “Synthetics,” meaning human-made. 

So, quite literally, they are human-made materials used to safeguard “earth” – i.e. any given surface. 

What are the Key Functions & Uses of Geosynthetics?

The true power of geosynthetics lies in the specific engineering functions they perform. Let’s briefly go through the most important uses of geosynthetics so you can decide how they can help you: 

1. Separation

This is the most critical function of geosynthetics – it prevents the mixing of two distinct soil layers, such as a soft subgrade and a clean gravel base.

That’s why geosynthetics like geogrids and geocells are used by contractors to maintain the integrity and load-bearing capacity of unpaved roads, parking lots, and railway ballast.

2. Filtration

Another key use of geosynthetic is water and fluid filtration. 

Geosynthetics allow water to flow through their plane while retaining soil particles on the upstream side.

That means civil engineers can use non-woven geotextiles around drainage areas to ensure efficient water collection.

3. Reinforcement

When you integrate a geosynthetic with low-stiffness soil, you get a composite material that has improved strength and deformation properties.

So, geotechnical engineers use materials like geogrids and geocells to reinforce steep slope embankments, retaining walls, and foundations over weak soils.

This is how geosynthetics help us create stable structures with greater durability.

4. Barrier & Containment

One of the most important benefits of geosynthetics is that they act as an impermeable layer to prevent the passage of liquids or gases.

For example, environmental engineers install Geocell as liners for landfills, reservoirs, and canals.

They ensure optimal containment of water bodies, or alternatively prevent water loss from ponds, lagoons, and lakes.

Another popular application of geosynthetics is in salt barriers, where geosynthetics protect plants and crops against seawater floods.

5. Drainage

Geosynthetics are also used for the exact opposite use case from the one we described above – i.e., they can form a permeable barrier that directs water or gases to a designated area or outlet.

For example, urban and civil engineering project managers use geonets and geocomposites behind retaining walls or in landfill caps to collect and channel seepage water.

6. Protection

Geosynthetics are used to shield a vulnerable material, like a geomembrane liner, from puncture or damage during installation and service.

That’s why installers often place thick non-woven geotextiles as a cushioning layer above and below geomembranes in landfill bases. This protects them from sharp rocks and debris.

Why Geomembrane?

7. Erosion Control

One of the fastest-growing uses of geosynthetics is erosion control.

It protects soil surfaces from being washed away by rainfall, runoff, or wave action.

Some of its biggest consumers are land developers – who use both geotextiles and geocells to stabilise shorelines, riverbanks, and newly constructed slopes until vegetation can become established.

8. Stabilisation

The last, and probably the most important, function of geosynthetics is stabilisation.

They allow us to spread the load of a given material over a wider area. This increases the bearing capacity of weak subsoils and reduces the differential settlement of any material.

That’s why road builders use geogrids and geotextiles to stabilise the base course of highways and access roads that are built over soft, compressible ground!

What are the Common Types of Geosynthetics?

Goesynthetics come in several different forms – each engineered to perform a highly specific primary function. Let me walk you through the 10 common types along with their functions so you know which one to use: 

1. Geotextiles

Geotextiles are the most commonly found type of geosynthetics – for eg, they hold almost 50% of the market share of all geosynthetics.

They are permeable fabrics (either woven or non-woven) that you can use for separation, filtration, drainage, or reinforcement of a given surface.

They’re most commonly deployed by civil engineers to extend the life of roads and drainage systems. Geotextiles perform this function by preventing soil mixing while allowing water to pass through. 

2. Geogrids

Geogrids are open structures divided into specific, uniform shapes.

They have large apertures and are primarily made from polyester or polypropylene, designed for tensile reinforcement.

Geogrids offer the best utility to construction firms as they can stabilise weak subgrades and offer steep reinforcement to soil slopes. They’re thus the best material you can use to retain walls with significant cost savings.

3. Geomembranes

Geomembranes are another very important type of geosynthetics.

They are impermeable synthetic liners or barriers that are typically made from polyethylene.

Their most common application is fluid migration. That is, they help contain landfills, ponds, and wastewater treatment lagoons by offering a lining solution that enables movement while preventing contamination.

4. Geocells

Geocells are 3D cellular confinement systems that are often made from welded HDPE strips.

Thus, Geocells form a honeycomb-like structure when they expand.

If you need an effective method for soil stabilisation on flat surfaces and slopes, Geocells are potentially your best, most cost-effective solution!

5. Geonets

Next to geotextiles, geonets are the most commonly used form of geosynthetics.

They use grid-like materials formed by two sets of parallel ribs to help you drain liquids and gases from planes and other surfaces.

That’s because they can protect structures from hydrostatic pressure by creating uniformly shaped barriers that break the flow of hydrostatic pressure. 

Geonets thus offer project managers an efficient drainage core solution, especially in landfill caps and behind retaining walls.

6. Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCLs)

Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are rolled materials that consist of a layer of bentonite clay sandwiched between two geotextiles or bonded to a geomembrane.

GCLs are particularly important as they give us a real-life example of why geosynthetics are versatile – they can be used with other raw materials to create alternatives for applications like containment projects.

For instance, GCLs provide a very cost-effective and low-permeability option to compacted clay liners for protecting landfill base layers.

7. Geofoam

Geofoam is one of the most popular forms of geosynthetics.

It is made up of ultra-lightweight, large-volume blocks that are created from expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam used for fill applications.

Geofoam is thus a key material that engineers can use to rapidly construct stable, lightweight embankments over soft soils while minimising settlement.

8. Geopipes

Geopipes are basically plastic pipes with perforations or special filters.

They are used specifically for subsurface drainage and leachate collection.

Geopipes provide us with a durable and corrosion-resistant solution for highway edge drains and landfill systems.

9. Geomeshes

A geomesh is a stiff, open polymer mesh that is often coated and specifically designed for reinforcing asphalt pavement layers. They offer highway engineers a solution to reduce the rate at which cracks occur in asphalt surfaces.

Geomeshes are thus extremely critical in significantly extending the service life of roadways!

10. Geocomposites

A geocomposite is a combination of two or more different geosynthetics – such as a geogrid bonded to a geotextile, or a geonet with a geotextile.

They further demonstrate the versatility of geosynthetics by offering project planners a tailored, multi-functional solution that combines benefits like drainage and reinforcement in a single product!

The Advantages of Geosynthetics

The adoption of geosynthetics is driven by the significant, multi-faceted advantages they deliver across the entire lifecycle of a project, from initial design to long-term performance.

1. Cost-Efficiency

One of the main reasons why the geosynthetics market is dramatically expanding is its cost efficiency.

For example, they can drastically reduce project costs by minimising the need for high-quality imported quarried materials (or aggregates).

They thus help you adjust to and work with local, on-site soil. As a result, you can save on material procurement, transportation, and labour!

2. Durability & Longevity

Since geosynthetics are engineered from robust polymers like polypropylene, HDPE, and polyester, they offer exceptional resistance to biological degradation, chemical attacks, and harsh environmental conditions.

So, you can greatly extend the life cycle of the structures they support!

3. Accelerated Construction Timelines

Geosynthetics are also quick and simple to install compared to traditional methods because they’re lightweight and use a roll-based structure.

This means you can accelerate project timelines, reduce traffic disruptions, and minimise the overall labour cost of your tasks.

4. Superior Engineering Performance

Because of their high strength-to-weight ratio, geosynthetics often outperform traditional materials.

They also allow for the construction of steeper slopes, higher retaining walls, and more stable foundations on even the most challenging of soft soil surfaces!

5. Sustainability

By reducing the carbon footprint associated with quarrying and transporting large volumes of natural materials, geosynthetics contribute to greener construction. They also enable more efficient use of resources and reduce long-term maintenance needs.

6. Design Flexibility

One reason geosynthetics are extremely popular with civil engineers, road builders, and contractors is that they unlock new possibilities and creative solutions on complex sites.

For example, they help us overcome challenges such as building large and complex structures over very soft ground – a challenge that would be impractical or prohibitively expensive with conventional techniques (like using heavy steel or iron bars).

7. Improved Environmental Protection

Geosynthetics don’t just safeguard structures and reduce the cost of doing business – they also protect the environment.

They help us prevent pollutants from leaching into soil and groundwater with geomembranes, while geosynthetic erosion control products minimise landscape degradation.

8. Consistent Quality

Unlike natural materials that vary in quality (like bentonite soil), geosynthetics are manufactured under strict quality control.

Thus, they can meet precise engineering specifications, ensuring reliable and predictable performance every single time!

9. Enhanced Project Resilience

Lastly, geosynthetic-reinforced structures are better equipped to withstand the increasing challenges of climate change, including heavy rainfall and flooding.

They’re also very useful in cold climates as their composition remains consistent through repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Geosynthetics are thus key to ensuring infrastructure remains safe and functional under widely changing and varying conditions!

Indonet: The Leading Supplier of Geosynthetics in India

Through this blog, I’ve covered the definition, functions, applications, and advantages of geosynthetics.

As you can see, they undergird, protect, reinforce, and maintain the integrity of a wide range of surfaces and materials.

So, if you want to leverage the versatile qualities of the industrial-grade geosynthetics, we’re here to help.

For the past 18 years, we at Indonet Group have consistently provided the most resilient geosynthetic products for a wide range of national and international customers.

Our product lineup includes geocomposites, geocells, geonets, salt barriers, geotextiles, geogrid, and dimple boards – high-quality materials that are renowned for their exceptional durability and performance.

Connect with us and tell us about your geosynthetics requirements, and we’ll reach out to you with a detailed proposal and quote!

What are Geosynthetics: FAQs

1. What are the primary uses of geosynthetics in civil engineering?

Geosynthetics are vital in civil engineering for key functions like soil separation, reinforcement, filtration, and erosion control. Common geosynthetics uses include stabilising roads, reinforcing slopes, and lining landfills to ensure project longevity and safety.

2. What are the main advantages of using geosynthetics?

The key advantages of geosynthetics include significant cost savings, accelerated construction, and enhanced durability. They provide superior performance by strengthening weak soils and protecting the environment, offering a smart alternative to traditional methods.

3. What is the difference between geotextiles and geogrids?

Geotextiles are fabric-like materials used for separation and filtration. Geogrids, with their large apertures, are designed specifically for tensile reinforcement, making them ideal for stabilizing soil in retaining walls and steep slopes.

4. How do I choose the right geosynthetic for my project?

To choose the right geosynthetic, consider the specific needs of your project: for separation, use geotextiles; for reinforcement, go for geogrids/geocells; and for containment, we suggest geomembranes. Still not sure which geosynthetic will work best for your project? Connect with us and we’ll help you find the ideal geosynthetic material that aligns with your requirements. 

5. Why is quality important when sourcing from geosynthetics manufacturers?

High-quality products from certified geosynthetics manufacturers ensure consistent performance and long-term reliability. This guarantees the material will meet engineering specifications for strength and durability, which is critical for the success and safety of your project.

6. What are geosynthetics made of?

Geosynthetics are primarily made from durable polymers like polypropylene, polyester, HDPE, and polyethylene. These materials are chosen by geosynthetics manufacturers because they offer high resistance to chemical and biological degradation, ensuring rugged performance in demanding applications or challenging environments.