What Are the Different Types of Geotextiles?

Overview

This blog will explore the four main types of geotextiles and their unique strengths,

This will help you understand the difference between these geotextiles and how you can choose the right one for your next project.

The top 4 geotextiles include:

1. Woven: Known for being high-strength and used for soil stabilization.
2. Non-woven: Known for their drainage and filtration capabilities. 
3. Knitted: Flexible and used for infrastructure reinforcement. 
4. Composite: Combines multiple materials to provide multiple purposes. 

For each such type of geotextile, I will provide its primary functions and common geotextile fabric uses. This will help you understand how exactly you can use one of these geotextiles for your unique purposes.

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The world beneath our feet is a lot smarter than you might think.

Geotextiles are high-tech fabrics that have helped solve many major challenges for people working in construction and civil engineering. 

Each type of geotextile provides its own unique benefits to create a more sustainable world around us.

Using specially designed materials, geotextiles help increase the durability of roads, drainage systems, and buildings. 

In this guide, I will help you identify and understand the major types of geotextiles and their differences.

This blog will help you make the right decision while selecting the ideal geotextile for your project. 

Let’s dive in! 

What Are Geotextiles? How Are They Used?  

In simple terms, geotextiles are specially designed synthetic fabrics.

They are made from flexible and resilient materials like polypropylene or polyester.

Geotextiles are manufactured to solve many complex engineering problems.

You can think of geotextiles as a high-tech layer that separates different layers of soil under our feet.

Different types of geotextiles can help filter water, provide better drainage, and control soil erosion.

In today’s modern construction, geotextiles are used very commonly. This is because they have a unique ability to increase a project’s durability cost-effectively.

A Quick Guide to Geotextile Types

This is a quick comparison table that showcases the differences between the types of geotextiles and the benefits they can provide to your project: 

Major Types of Geotextiles 

As the table indicates, there is no overall ‘best’ geotextile type. You can only choose the ‘right’ one that best suits your specific needs.

Here is a detailed guide of each major geotextile type and how their benefits are being used in modern construction: 

1. Woven Geotextiles:  The Heavy-Duty Stabiliser 

Primary Function: 

Soil Stabilisation, Reinforcement, and Separation

These are manufactured by weaving together individual threads of polypropylene or polyester. It is a very strong fabric that creates a grid-like structure.

Through this weaving process, this geotextile can provide great strength and stability to your project. It is particularly useful in businesses that involve sustaining heavy loads.

The tightly woven texture also benefits from low water seep-through. This benefit makes woven geotextiles ideal for soil separation.

For example, modern roads often use a woven geotextile to increase their structural integrity and extend their life.

Key Takeaway: 

I recommend this for load-bearing applications and to create long-lasting and stable foundations during construction.

Common Uses: 

1. Road and Highway construction
2. Driveways and Parking Lots
3. Wall reinforcement

    

2. Non-Woven Geotextiles: Drainage and Filtration Expert

Primary Function: 

Filtration, Drainage, and Separation 

Made by bonding synthetic fibres together through a more refined mechanical or thermal process, this type of fabric has a unique felt-like texture.

Non-woven geotextile fabric is a porous fabric that allows water to pass through it. This helps filter out soil particles and other impurities.

This high permeability makes it a great choice for projects that require managing water. Used for wrapping French drains, they are perfect for wrapping the outer covering of drainage pipes to prevent soil erosion.

Key Takeaway: 

In my opinion, this is the perfect choice for projects where managing and filtering water flow is the top priority.

Common Uses: 

Non-woven geotextiles are mainly used for: 

1. Subsurface drainage systems
2. Landfill liners 
3. Erosion control 
4. Protective Layer for Landscaping

3. Knitted Geotextiles: The Flexible Specialist

Primary Function: 

Reinforcement, Controlling Erosion

Knitted geotextiles are created by interlocking yarns of the material together in a loop pattern.

The manufacturing process is similar to how a sweater is knitted. This method ensures that the geotextile is strong as well as flexible.

Knitted geotextiles are mainly used for highly specific use cases that require flexible reinforcement.

Their benefits make this type ideal for stabilizing slopes and controlling erosion in demanding environments.

Key Takeaway: 

I would definitely recommend this if you require a geotextile with a combination of flexibility and reinforcement, particularly for uneven surfaces. 

Common Uses: 

This geotextile is usually used for: 

1. Slope stabilisation 
2. Turf reinforcement 
3. Erosion control (Challenging landscapes)

    

4. Composite Geotextiles: All-in-One Solution

Primary Function: 

Two or more functions combined (Drainage ± Filtration ± Reinforcement)

Composite geotextiles are engineered to combine the materials and the benefits of multiple geotextile types into a single product.

For example, a composite layer may combine a woven fabric for strength with a non-woven fabric for filtration. This can provide multiple benefits in a single sheet of geotextile. 

This “best of both worlds” approach can help engineers tackle complex issues with one singular solution. They are a great way to solve demanding challenges with a premium solution. 

Key Takeaway: 

I believe this to be the perfect multi-functional solution for projects that require drainage, filtration, and reinforcement at the same time. 

Common uses: 

1. Railway track bed stabilization
2. Advanced drainage systems
3. Hydraulic engineering projects

Key Considerations for Your Geotextile Strategy 

Selecting the right type of geotextiles is very important for your project’s success. In my experience, you should focus on the following core areas while making your decision:

1. Primary Function: Identify the main issue that needs to be solved. Whether it’s stabilization, drainage, filtration, or all of the above, understanding your project’s goal is the most important factor in deciding the right geotextile.
   
2. Soil and Load Conditions: Understand the ground conditions and the type of soil it contains. For example, a wet ground can benefit from a non-woven fabric for drainage. Meanwhile, a heavy-load area will require the strength of a woven geotextile fabric.
   
3. Durability and Longevity: You need the right fabric that can withstand the conditions of your project. If durability is your priority, woven geotextiles have been shown to be better at providing long-term efficiency. 

Conclusion: Finding the Right Geotextile For Your Needs

Understanding the different types of geotextiles should be the first step in your decision-making process. 

In this blog, we have seen how each geotextile type serves its own unique purpose.

Woven geotextiles are great for increasing the strength and stability of roads and driveways.

Meanwhile, non-woven geotextiles are amazing for building drainage and filtration systems.

Knitted geotextiles have proven to be great for specialised conditions that require flexibility.

Lastly, if you require multiple benefits in a single geotextile, composite geotextiles are your best choice. It can offer both form and functionality to your project. 

My Recommendation: Get a Geosynthetics Partner! 

Making the best choice for your project can be a hard decision. You will require a trusted partner that can help you provide the right type of geotextile for your needs.

This is where Indonet comes in!

As a leading geosynthetics manufacturer and supplier, Indonet’s team has decades of experience providing durable solutions to complex engineering challenges.

Let us help you make the right choice! Connect with the Indonet Group today, and get a free consultation on the perfect geotextile solution that will satisfy your requirements. 

FAQs

1. What are the main types of geotextiles?

The main types of geotextiles are woven, non-woven, knitted, and composite. Woven geotextile fabric is best for strength, while non-woven geotextile fabric is ideal for drainage.

2. How do I choose between woven and non-woven geotextiles?

Choose woven geotextiles for soil stabilization and reinforcement under roads and parking lots. Choose non-woven geotextiles for drainage, filtration, and erosion control projects.

3. What are the common applications of geotextiles?

Common applications of geotextiles include road construction, drainage systems, erosion control, landfill liners, and as separators between different soil layers in retaining walls and embankments.

4. What should I look for in geotextile suppliers?

Look for geotextile suppliers with proven expertise, a comprehensive product range, and a commitment to quality. A good supplier will offer technical support to ensure you select the right product for your specific geotextile fabric uses.

5. Can geotextiles be used for drainage?

Yes, absolutely. Non-woven geotextiles are specifically designed for drainage applications. They are commonly used to wrap French drains and other subsurface drainage systems to allow water to flow while preventing soil clogging.