Unit-IV Class Notes

Course Objective:

The course content enables students to learn the different techniques for enhancing the
properties of soil.

Course Outcomes:

At the end of the course the student will be able to;

1. Possess the knowledge of various methods of ground improvement and their suitability to
different field situations.
2. Learn the grouting techniques.
3. Learn the concept of Vertical drains, its construction and design principles.
4. Outline the various function of Geosynthetics and its application in Civil engineering
5. Understand the concept of Dewatering Techniques.

Mapping of course outcomes with program outcomes:

SYLLABUS

UNIT – IV 8 Periods

Geosynthetics-Types, Functions, Applications, Raw materials, Manufacturing methods.

Properties of Geotextiles- Physical Properties, Mechanical Properties, Hydraulic Properties,
Survivability and Durability.
(P.T.O)
 Geo-Synthetics

Introduction:

Types of Geo-Synthetics:
Geo-synthetics are classified into the following types:

1. Geotextiles:
Geotextiles are permeable fabrics which when used in association with soil, have the
ability to separate, filter, reinforce, protect, or drain.

Characteristics-
 Porous and allow flow of water through it.
 Most used Geosynthetics.
 Available in rolls of 5.6m wide and 50-150m long.

Geotextiles are available in two basic forms:

a. Woven Geotextile: Uniform and regular interweaving of threads or yarns in two

directions. Regular Visible Construction Pattern.
Have high tensile strength and relatively low strain.
b. Non-Woven Geotextiles: Formed by heat bonding, resin bonding or needle
punching.
No visible thread pattern.
They have high strain and stretch considerably under load.

2. Geogrids:
A Geogrid is geosynthetic material used to reinforce soils and similar materials.
Geogrids are commonly used to reinforce retaining walls, as well sub bases subsoil's
below roads or structures.

Characteristics-
 They have open grid like configuration i.e. they have large aperture between
individual ribs.
 They have Low strain and stretch about 2% under load.Strength is more that
other common geotextiles.

3. Geonets:
Geonets are also planar products. Consists of ribs in two directions. Apertures are of
diamond shape.
  Thickness is larger than that of geogrids. Are also known as “geospacers”.
 Geonets are made of stacked, crisscrossing polymer strands that provide in-
plane drainage.
 Two layers of strands are called “bi-planar”. Three layers are called “tri-
planar”.

4. Geomemberanes:
A Geomembrane is a very low permeability synthetic membrane barrier used to
control fluid or gas migration in a structure, or system.

 It is a impervious plastic sheet.

 Thickness 0.5mm to 3mm approximately.
 Used as a fluid barrier in designing drainage systems,etc.
 Used as damp proof course in floors, roofs etc.

5. Geosynthetic clay liner:

It is a woven fabric-like material, combination of geotextiles and geomembranes used
as a barrier for liquid or solid waste.

 Applied below and above geomembrane layers in landfills

 Self repair mechanism.
 Provide sub-base support.

6. Geocells:
Geocells are 3-dimensional honeycomb-like structures, made of strips of polymer
sheet.

Characteristics-
 Similar to geotextiles or geogrids but have depth.
 provides both a physical containment of a depth of soil and a transfer of load
through
 Allow water through it.
 Used in slopes with soft sub-grade
 Used erosion control in channels

7. Geofoams:
Geofoam is manufactured int large lightweight blocks by polymeric expansion
process. They are large but extremely light materials with gas filled cells.

 Low density/ high strength: Geofoams is 1% to 2% of soil in terms of density

of soil with equal strength.
 Quick to install and can be installed during any type of weather.
 If geofoam comes in contact with a petroleum solvent, it will immediately
turn into a glue type makingit unable to support any load.
  Untreated geofoam is a Fire hazard

8. Geocomposites:
These are combination of two different types of geosynthetics to take advantage of
each.This is prepared to extract all the major properties of the geosynthetics into a
single unit with minimum cost.

The various types of Geocomposites are :-

 Geotextile-Geonet Composites
 Geotextile –Geomembrane
 Composites
 Geotextile –Geogrid Composites
 Geomembrane –Geogrid Composite
 Geotextile-Polymer Core Composite

Functions and Applications of Geo-synthetics:

Filtration: Allow the passage of fluids preventing the migration of soil particles
Geosynthetics which serve this function are : geotextiles, geocomposites

Drainage: Transport of fluids

Geosynthetics which serve this function are : geonets, geocomposites.

Separation: Prevent the mixing of two different soils or materials

Geosynthetics which serve this function are : geotextiles,geocomposites.

Protection: Avoid damages to a structure, a material or another geosynthetic

Geosynthetics which serve this function are : nonwoven geotextiles, geonets, geocomposites

Im-permeabilization: Fluid barrier

Geosynthetics which serve this function are : Geomembranes, geocomposites

Reinforcement:
 Used as Reinforcement in walls/steep slopes, Provide tensile forces in the soil
Geosynthetics which serve this function are : geogrids, and geotextiles
 Increase the bearing capacity in soft soils
Geosynthetics which serve this function are : bidirectional geogrids, geotextiles,
geocomposites
 Provides tensile and fatigue resistance in concrete and asphalt
Geosynthetics which serve this function are : bidirectional geogrids
Erosion control or surfacial stabilization : Avoid the detachment and transport of soil
particles by rain, runoff and wind; root anchorage
Geosynthetics which serve this function are : geomats, geocells, biomats, bionets

Confinement: Restrain the lateral movement of a soil mass

Geosynthetics which serve this function are : geocells.

Relative importance of Basic Geosynthetic functions in various applications can be

understood from below table
Manufacturing Methods of Geosynthetics:
Properties of Geotextiles:
Durability and Survivability:
Physical Properties

1. Specific gravity

2. Mass per unit area ( unit weight)

3. Thickness

4. Stiffness

1. Specific gravity:

It can be determined by formulae

Specific Gravity =

It can be determined by the Pycnometer method and also by displacement method.

In case of geo-membrane Specific Gravity =

Values of Specific Gravity as per raw material:

Specific Gravity of some of the polymers is less then 1, Which is drawback when working
with geo-textiles under water.
2.Mass Per Unit Area ( Unit Weight):

Usually given in units of gram per square metre (g/m2 ). It is determined by weighing square
or circular test specimens of known dimensions (generally area not less than 100 cm2 ).
Linear dimensions should be measured without any tension in the specimen.

For commonly used geo-synthetics, it varies in order of 100 to 1000 g/m2 . Unit weight of
geo-textiles is less than Unit weight of geomembranes may have substantially larger values
of mass per unit area, even up to several thousands of grams per square metre.

It should be measured to the accuracy nearest to 0.01 % of total specimen weight. Fabric cost
is directly related to mass per unit area ( Unit weight). Important for Economy of a project.

3. Thickness Of Geotextiles:

The thickness of a geosynthetic is the distance between its upper and lower surfaces,
measured normal to the surfaces at a specified normal compressive stress.

Generally 2.0 kPa for geotextiles and 20 kPa for geogrids and geomembranes. Measured to
the accuracy of 0.02mm. In general Thickness varies in between 0.25mm to 7.5mm
Thickness is important for permittivity (c/s plane)and Transmissivity (in-plane) .

ASTM as recommended the following pressures to measure thickness of fabric

4. Stiffness (Flexural Rigidity):

It is the ability to resist flexure (bending) under

its own weight It can be measured by its capacity
to form a cantilever beam without exceeding a
certain amount of downward bending under its
own weight. The stiffness of a geosynthetic
indicates the feasibility of providing a suitable
working surface for installation.

*** The End***