Geotextile is a permeable woven or non-woven synthetic fabric, usually made of polypropylene (PP) or polyester (PET), used in civil engineering to separate, filter, drain, reinforce and protect soil.
The material is manufactured either by weaving fibres into a regular grid (woven geotextile) or by bonding fibres into a felt-like sheet (non-woven geotextile). Both forms are strong, rot-resistant and permeable to water while retaining soil particles.
Main functions
- Separation: keeps different soil or aggregate layers from mixing.
- Filtration: lets water pass while holding back fine particles.
- Drainage: conducts water within its own plane.
- Reinforcement: adds tensile strength to weak ground.
- Protection: cushions membranes and liners against damage.
Application
Geotextile is used across a wide range of ground and water engineering works.
| Field | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Road construction | Separation layer under sub-base |
| Drainage | Filter wrap around drains |
| Hydraulic works | Under revetments and rock armour |
| Foundations | Reinforcement of soft subsoil |
By keeping layers stable and water flowing correctly, geotextile extends the life of roads, embankments and drainage systems.
Related terms
- drainage
- geogrid
- soil improvement
- foundation
- geotube
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