subject: Benefits And Uses Of Geotextile Fabric [print this page] From allowing drainage around retaining walls to help build a firm foundation for roads and railroads, the uses of Geotextiles is endless. You can find a fabric to help you in almost any construction project by adding stability and strength.
The main types of these wonderful fabrics are needle punched, heat bonded and woven. Each fabric has its strengths to add to different projects. Some are created to allow drainage while others are created to prevent erosion long enough for plant life to return to a damaged area.
One purpose for these fabrics is reinforcement. This is usually used in road and railroad construction. By allowing the different layers of foundation to remain separate, the fabric helps create a more stable foundation. By building roads and other items this way, the moisture can move through the soil and the road remains stable. This can help prevent runts in logging roads and can help increase the life of other projects.
When planting trees near buildings or other structures, landscapers must be aware of root spread and the impact it can have on surround structures. With the use of fabrics, they can prevent the roots from entering areas of possible damage.
The fabrics can be a great tool when it comes to landscaping. Erosion control blankets allow a person to plant on a steep hillside or in an area with soil damage. The blankets hold the soil in place to allow plants to take root in the area. Once the plants have rooted in place, the blankets eventually degrade, leaving only the plants.
With the permeability of these fabrics, they can be very useful in the construction and maintenance of landfills. The fabric can help stabilize the soils around the landfill while allowing the water to move through it. Also they are useful in the drainage canals or ditches to help prevent further erosion.
Structures like retaining walls can cause some of the damage they were built to prevent. If there is no drainage system in place, the water can wash away the soil at the top of the wall. If the wall is built with the fabric in place, then the water has a place to move without causing damage.
When building new projects or repairing old ones be sure to consider the uses of geotextiles. These multifaceted fabrics can help in a variety of projects to add strength and drainage. Many projects can be stronger or longer lasting with the addition of these fabrics.