Role of geosynthetics in civil Engineering

Role and application of Geo synthetics in Civil Engineering projects and their scope in India

1. Role of Geosynthetics in Role of Geosynthetics in
Infrastructure ProjectsInfrastructure Projects
A presentation A presentation
by by
SRINIVAS ANGADI SRINIVAS ANGADI M TechM Tech
JNTU College of Engineering JNTU College of Engineering
HyderabadHyderabad

2. "In the beginning, O
Lord, you laid the
foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the
work of your hands.”
“When He made this
Earth very thing is perfect
and beautiful”
Earth becomes problematic place to live when Men
disobeyed Creator.
Construction in difficult sites becomes a tough job for
engineers
My present topic give glimpse of new technology how they
are dealing with weak soils.

3. IntroductionIntroduction
In the past, when dealing with difficult sites for In the past, when dealing with difficult sites for
construction purposes, the conventional practice was construction purposes, the conventional practice was
limited to either replacing the unsuitable soils, or limited to either replacing the unsuitable soils, or
bypassing them with costly deep foundations.bypassing them with costly deep foundations.
Additionally, the age-old problem of land Additionally, the age-old problem of land
scarcity and the need to rebuild aging infrastructure in scarcity and the need to rebuild aging infrastructure in
urban areas, increased realization of seismic hazards, urban areas, increased realization of seismic hazards,
and regulations mandated for various environmental and regulations mandated for various environmental
problems, have been the impetus for the evolution of problems, have been the impetus for the evolution of
a number of ground improvement techniques during a number of ground improvement techniques during
the past 25 years. the past 25 years.

4. IntroductionIntroduction
Innovative ground modification approaches Innovative ground modification approaches
are routinely used now to solve unique soil-related are routinely used now to solve unique soil-related
problems, and often are considered to be the most problems, and often are considered to be the most
economical means to improve an undesirable site economical means to improve an undesirable site
conditioncondition
Geosynthetics Geosynthetics have proven to be among the have proven to be among the
most versatile and cost-effective ground most versatile and cost-effective ground
modification materials. Their use has expanded modification materials. Their use has expanded
rapidly into nearly all areas of civil, geotechnical, rapidly into nearly all areas of civil, geotechnical,
environmental, coastal, and hydraulic engineering.environmental, coastal, and hydraulic engineering.

5. Genesis of Geosynthetics..Genesis of Geosynthetics..
Inclusions of different sorts mixed with soil have
been used for thousands of years. They were used in
roadway construction in Roman days to stabilize
roadways and their edges.
These early attempts were made of
natural fibres, fabrics or vegetation mixed with soil to
improve road quality, particularly when roads were built
on unstable soil. They were also used to build steep
slopes as with several pyramids in Egypt and walls as
well.

6. Genesis of Geosynthetics..Genesis of Geosynthetics..
A fundamental problem with using natural
materials (wood, cotton, etc.) in a buried
environment is the biodegradation that occurs
from microorganisms in the soil.
With the advent of polymers in the middle
of the 20th century a much more stable material
became available. When properly formulated,
lifetimes of centuries can be predicted even for
harsh environmental conditions.

7. R & D..R & D..
•Work Related to Geo-synthetics started in 1960.Work Related to Geo-synthetics started in 1960.
• The International Geo-synthetics Society (IGS)
founded in 1982.
•At present there are more than 20 Universities
teaching various courses on Geo-synthetics.
•Geo-synthetics are available worldwide and the
activity is robust and steadily growing.

8. Global Scenario of Geo-syntheticsGlobal Scenario of Geo-synthetics
Worldwide demand for geo-synthetics is projected to
rise 5.3 percent annually to more than 4.7 billion
square meters in 2014.
Strong growth in China is demonstrated by use of
geo-synthetics in almost all government
sponsored/controlled projects in various areas while
such is not the case in India.
USA dominates the consumption, China Catching up
quickly but India consumes less than 1.5%
There is a lot of scope and necessity to enhance the
use of Geo-synthetics in India.

9. Types of GeosyntheticsTypes of Geosynthetics
1. Geotextile1. Geotextile

10. Functions of GeotextilesFunctions of Geotextiles
• Geotextiles are basically textiles in traditional sense
made from synthetic fibers. So this material is flexible,
porous in nature and bio-undegradable.
•There are at least 80 specific application areas for
geotextiles that have been developed to fulfill
following major functions:
1. Separation
2. Reinforcement
3. Filtration & & Drainage
4. Moisture barrier (when impregnated)

11. FiltrationFiltration

12. Drainage- FunctionDrainage- Function

13. Separation - FunctionSeparation - Function

14. Reinforcement - FunctionReinforcement - Function

15. Separation Filtration and Drainage Functions Separation Filtration and Drainage Functions
of Geotextiles in Road Constructionof Geotextiles in Road Construction

16. Embankment Failure Modes and Reinforcement

17. 2. Geogrids2. Geogrids

18. Geogrid -FunctionsGeogrid -Functions
The use of geogrids in The use of geogrids in
roadway and railroad roadway and railroad
construction to reinforce the construction to reinforce the
base of the structure over base of the structure over
soft soilssoft soils
The geogrid helps to increase The geogrid helps to increase
the bearing capacity of the the bearing capacity of the
subgrade soil while greatly subgrade soil while greatly
reducing the loss of the reducing the loss of the
aggregate cover material into aggregate cover material into
weak, wet, or saturated weak, wet, or saturated
subgrade soils.subgrade soils.

19. RETAINING WALLSRETAINING WALLS
The use of geogrids in The use of geogrids in
retaining wall retaining wall
applications is viewed applications is viewed
as an extremely as an extremely
efficient and cost efficient and cost
saving method of saving method of
design applicationdesign application
Geogrid -FunctionsGeogrid -Functions

20. Geogrid -FunctionsGeogrid -Functions
REINFORCED REINFORCED
EMBANKMENTSEMBANKMENTS
OVER SOFT OVER SOFT
FOUNDATIONSFOUNDATIONS
A popular technique for A popular technique for
creating stable creating stable
foundations over soft foundations over soft
soils is termed reinforced soils is termed reinforced
embankments over soft embankments over soft
foundationsfoundations

21. 3. Geomembranes & Geosynthetic Clay Liner3. Geomembranes & Geosynthetic Clay Liner

22. Water Conveyance(Canal Water Conveyance(Canal
Liners)Liners) Geomembranes and Geomembranes and
GCLs can be economically GCLs can be economically
employed to reduce the seepage employed to reduce the seepage
through unlined irrigation through unlined irrigation
canals or waterways. They are canals or waterways. They are
effective alternatives to effective alternatives to
concrete, asphalt or compacted concrete, asphalt or compacted
clay soils and can be used as an clay soils and can be used as an
expedient method to repair expedient method to repair
poorly performing existing poorly performing existing
linings or those that are rapidly linings or those that are rapidly
deteriorating.deteriorating.
Geomembranes & GCL’s FunctionsGeomembranes & GCL’s Functions

23. Solid Waste Landfill Solid Waste Landfill
ContainmentContainment
Landfill applications Landfill applications
for geomembranes for geomembranes
and geosynthetic clay and geosynthetic clay
liners (GCLs)liners (GCLs)
include their use as include their use as
bottom liners for bottom liners for
waste and leachate waste and leachate
containment, cut-off containment, cut-off
walls as well as landfill walls as well as landfill
closures or covers.closures or covers.
Geomembranes & GCL’s FunctionsGeomembranes & GCL’s Functions

24. Other Uses…Other Uses…
•Coal Ash Storage SitesCoal Ash Storage Sites
Geomembranes & GCL’s FunctionsGeomembranes & GCL’s Functions
•Surface Impoundments/Surface Impoundments/
Liquid ContainmentLiquid Containment
(Pond Liners)(Pond Liners)

25. 4. Geofoam4. Geofoam

26. Geofoam - FunctionsGeofoam - Functions
Geofoam is used in
geotechnical applications
such as lightweight fill for
construction on soft
ground, for slope
stabilization, and retaining
wall or abutment backfill;
From foundations to
theatre seating to road
embankments geofoam is
inherently multi-
functional

27. Geofoam - FunctionsGeofoam - Functions

28. A major
advantage of
using geofoam as
fill material in
embankments is
that it is up to 50
times less massive
than other
lightweight fills
Geofoam - FunctionsGeofoam - Functions

29. 5. Geocell5. Geocell

30. Slope erosion control
The use of Geocell for
erosion control applications
eliminates complicated and
expensive construction
techniques.
Geocells 3D structure
provides a blanket of 'cells' on
the slope surface which can
be in-filled with a variety of
materials depending on the
application; either topsoil,
aggregates, from sands and
gravels to larger stones and
cobbles.

31. This improves
resistance to erosive
forces such as
rainwater run-off on
steep or unstable
slopes, or slopes
exposed to severe
hydraulic or
mechanical stresses.
Slope erosion control

32. 6. Geocomposites6. Geocomposites

33. Geocomposite - Functions
•Geocomposite are basically combinations of two
or more different types of geosynthetic.
•Examples include: geotextile-geonet; geotextile-
geogrid; geonet-geomembrane; or geosynthetic
clay liner (GCL)
•The three main geocomposite material types are:
drainage geocomposites, reinforcement
geocomposites and fluid barrier geocomposites.

34. Usage of Geosynthetics in IndiaUsage of Geosynthetics in India
At Delhi Metro At Delhi Metro
Rail Corporation LtdRail Corporation Ltd
Used for Protection, Used for Protection,
Separation, Drainage Separation, Drainage
between Top Shotcrete between Top Shotcrete
Lining & Yellow Lining & Yellow
Geomembrane sheetGeomembrane sheet

35. Usage of Geosynthetics in IndiaUsage of Geosynthetics in India
•Constructing Constructing
Protection Protection
Wall against Wall against
sea erosion of sea erosion of
coast at coast at
Kolak, Kolak,
Gujarat.Gujarat.

36. Usage of Geosynthetics in IndiaUsage of Geosynthetics in India
Open Air AuditoriumOpen Air Auditorium
At Kharghar, Navi At Kharghar, Navi
Mumbai,Mumbai,
Non Woven GeotextileNon Woven Geotextile
Is used as Separator Is used as Separator
between Top Soil & between Top Soil &
Drainage LayerDrainage Layer

37. Meghalaya State Meghalaya State
ElectricityBoard, ShillongElectricityBoard, Shillong
Function:Function:
• • Flexible Earth Retaining Flexible Earth Retaining
Wall.Wall.
• • River / Coastal Erosion River / Coastal Erosion
ControlControl
Usage of Geosynthetics in IndiaUsage of Geosynthetics in India

38. Advantages of Geo-syntheticsAdvantages of Geo-synthetics
•Cheaper in product cost, transport and Cheaper in product cost, transport and
installation. installation.
•Can be designed (predictability)Can be designed (predictability)
•Can be installed quickly with flexibility to Can be installed quickly with flexibility to
construct during short period.construct during short period.
•Consistent over a wide range of soilsConsistent over a wide range of soils
•Space Savings Space Savings
•Material Quality Control - More Material Quality Control - More
homogeneous than soil and aggregates. homogeneous than soil and aggregates.
•Better Construction Quality Control at siteBetter Construction Quality Control at site
•Easy Material Deployment Easy Material Deployment

39. Advantages of Geo-syntheticsAdvantages of Geo-synthetics
•Less Environmentally Sensitive Less Environmentally Sensitive
•Improved performance and extended lifeImproved performance and extended life
•Increased safety factorIncreased safety factor
•Compatible with field conditionsCompatible with field conditions
•Increased service life of flexible pavement Increased service life of flexible pavement
section by a factor of 2.5 to 3.0 for weak section by a factor of 2.5 to 3.0 for weak
subgrades and by 2.0 to 3.3 for moderate subgrades and by 2.0 to 3.3 for moderate
subgrades subgrades
•Increase in allowable load bearing capacity Increase in allowable load bearing capacity
by 40 to 50%by 40 to 50%

40. Geo-Synthetic at Economic EdgeGeo-Synthetic at Economic Edge
•The cost of geo-synthetics applied usually The cost of geo-synthetics applied usually
between 3 to 5 per cent of the total cost of between 3 to 5 per cent of the total cost of
projects. projects.
•For a number of projects, savings of 30 per For a number of projects, savings of 30 per
cent in total project costs have been cent in total project costs have been
reported.reported.
•Minimizes the regular repair and Minimizes the regular repair and
maintenance costs directly. maintenance costs directly.
•Increase efficiency of structures, minimize Increase efficiency of structures, minimize
pollution and leads to efficient use of natural pollution and leads to efficient use of natural
resources. resources.

41. Geo-Synthetic at Environment EdgeGeo-Synthetic at Environment Edge
•Geo-synthetics are difficult or impossible to Geo-synthetics are difficult or impossible to
degrade. However, in view of their inert degrade. However, in view of their inert
nature they can be disposed off without the nature they can be disposed off without the
danger of contamination. danger of contamination.
•Geo-synthetics assist the environment by Geo-synthetics assist the environment by
acting as a containing barrier for toxic acting as a containing barrier for toxic
materials.materials.
•Geo-synthetics provide sealing and capping Geo-synthetics provide sealing and capping
of pollution due to chemicals released after of pollution due to chemicals released after
road and rail accidents into groundwater road and rail accidents into groundwater
areasareas

42. Disadvantages of Geo-syntheticsDisadvantages of Geo-synthetics
•Long-term performance of the particular formulated resin
being used to make the geo-synthetic must be assured by
using proper additives including antioxidants, ultraviolet
screeners, and fillers.
•Clogging of geotextiles, geo-nets, geo-pipes and/or geo-
composites is a challenging design for certain soil types or
unusual situations. For example, loess soils, fine cohesion less
silts, highly turbid liquids, and microorganism laden liquids
(farm runoff) are troublesome and generally require
specialized testing evaluations.
•Handling, storage, and installation must be assured by careful
quality control and quality assurance

43. Hindrances for the use of Geo-synthetics in IndiaHindrances for the use of Geo-synthetics in India
•Lack of desired legislationLack of desired legislation
•Lack of required standards on geosynthetic Lack of required standards on geosynthetic
products as well as on design, construction products as well as on design, construction
and installation guidelinesand installation guidelines
•Lack of policy / regulatory initiatives by the Lack of policy / regulatory initiatives by the
central and state governmentscentral and state governments
•Lack of awareness of standards and Lack of awareness of standards and
guidelines by the site engineers / field staffguidelines by the site engineers / field staff
•Lack of national certifying and accreditation Lack of national certifying and accreditation
agencies for geo-synthetics in the countryagencies for geo-synthetics in the country
•Lack of R&D facilitiesLack of R&D facilities
•Incompleteness of existing standards and Incompleteness of existing standards and
guidelinesguidelines

44. ConclusionConclusion
•ItIt is essential to made the use of Geo-is essential to made the use of Geo-
synthectics mandatory in India in order to synthectics mandatory in India in order to
have increased efficiency with potential have increased efficiency with potential
large cost saving, safety of structures and large cost saving, safety of structures and
minimum environmental pollution including minimum environmental pollution including
large saving of natural resourceslarge saving of natural resources

45. Thank YouThank You