Geosynthetics are polymer products used in man-made designs, such as buildings or roads, to solve civil engineering problems. They include geogrids, geofoam, geocells, geotextiles, geocomposites, and geomembranes. Geosynthetics can be used for separation, filtration, reinforcement, containment, drainage, and erosion control. They are often more effective and easier to maintain than natural solutions, but must be used correctly and stored properly.
Geosynthetics are manufactured polymer products used with materials such as stone or soil as part of man-made designs, such as buildings or roads. These products or materials can be used, often in combination with natural materials, for a variety of purposes. Geotextiles, for example, can be used to separate or filter soil, and geomembranes are often used as waterproof linings for ponds or other man-made bodies of water. The many different uses of geosynthetics are unified by the fact that nearly all of them are used to solve civil engineering problems. Civil engineering is a field of engineering dedicated to the construction and maintenance of such man-made environmental features as roads, canals, buildings and bridges.
Many different types of materials used to address a variety of civil engineering problems fall under the broad category of geosynthetics. Geogrids are geosynthetic polymeric materials arranged as networks, with large spaces between sections of material in a grid shape. They are often used within soil and other natural materials to increase their stability and ability to support weight. Geofoam is a foam-like product made from polymeric materials and made into lightweight blocks that can be used whenever space-filling materials are needed. Other types of geosynthetics include geocells, geotextiles, geocomposites and geomembranes.
These categories of geosynthetics can serve a variety of different specific functions, which generally can be organized into a few broad functional categories. Some geosynthetics are used to separate distinct materials, such as different types of soil, so that both can remain completely intact. Others are used for filtration, allowing for adequate drainage of the liquid but preventing harmful materials from flowing out with the liquid. Still others may be used for reinforcing purposes, meaning they are intended to increase the overall stability and bearing capacity of a material or substance. Other possible functional categories for geosynthetic materials include containment, drainage and erosion control.
Geosynthetics can, in many circumstances, be used to solve civil engineering problems far more effectively than completely natural solutions could. A problem that would otherwise require carefully arranged layers of plants, soil and stone, for example, could be solved with a single geosynthetic layer. Additionally, geosynthetics tend to be easier to place and maintain than many natural solutions. If they are not placed correctly, however, geosynthetic materials often perform poorly or not at all, so it is very important to ensure that they are used correctly. Furthermore, these polymeric substances can degrade or be damaged if stored or handled improperly.
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