Geotextiles in Embankment Dams - Association of State Dam Safety ...

Geotextiles in Embankment DamsThe types of geotextiles that comply with the definition are the nonwoven, wovenand knitted fabrics which again are typical fabrics of the textile industry today.Geotextiles, however, are manufactured in plants that are now devoted to thetechnical geotextile industry segment and thus are engineered for today’s demandingapplications in geotechnical engineering. Thus the term “geotextile” is not new butin fact describes the general functions of “fabrics” used to improve soils or soilconditions.Geotextile polymers are predominantly polypropylene (PP) (95% at present),polyester (PET) and polyethylene (PE) with some geotextiles (nonwovens) usingcombinations of polymers. Nylon (polyamide) is used to a lesser extent.Geotextile structures are comprised of the following:2.2.1 Nonwoven geotextilesGeotextiles formed with continuous or short fibers arranged in random directionsand then bonded together into a planar structure (fig. 2.2) which can include thefollowing:• Nonwoven Mechanically Needlepunchedo Continuous Filament Fibero Staple Fiber (short fibers)• Nonwoven Heat Seto Continuous Filament Fiber2.2.2 Woven geotextilesGeotextiles composed of two sets of parallel yarns or tapes systematically interlacedto form a planar structure (fig. 2.3) which can include the following:• Multifilament woven• Monofilament woven• Slit Film woven• Fibrillated woven18