Non-Woven vs Woven Geotextiles

Non-woven and woven geotextiles are two primary types of geosynthetic materials used in various civil engineering applications, each offering distinct advantages based on their structure and properties. According to Robert M. Koerner's "Designing with Geosynthetics, 6th Edition," the selection between non-woven and woven geotextiles primarily depends on the intended function, such as separation and filtration.

Non-woven geotextiles, made from continuous filament fibers or short staple fibers bonded together, are generally preferred for applications requiring filtration and drainage. Their random fiber arrangement creates a porous structure, allowing for effective water permeability while retaining soil particles. This makes non-woven geotextiles ideal for use in drainage systems, where the goal is to facilitate the flow of water while preventing soil erosion. Additionally, their flexibility and ability to conform to uneven surfaces make them suitable for subsurface drainage applications and in road construction to maintain the integrity of the aggregate base layer.

In contrast, woven geotextiles are manufactured by weaving fibers into a regular, grid-like structure, providing high tensile strength and resistance to elongation. This structural strength makes woven geotextiles more appropriate for separation applications where the primary requirement is to prevent the mixing of different soil layers. For example, in roadway construction, woven geotextiles can be placed between the subgrade and base layers to maintain separation, thereby enhancing the road's load-bearing capacity and longevity. Their strength and durability also make them suitable for reinforcement applications in retaining walls and embankments.

In summary, non-woven geotextiles are preferred for filtration and drainage due to their permeability and soil retention properties, while woven geotextiles are better suited for separation and reinforcement applications because of their superior tensile strength. Understanding these distinctions, as outlined in "Designing with Geosynthetics," is crucial for selecting the appropriate material for specific engineering projects.

So why do we see non-woven predominantly used in Lower Mainland as the go to separation geotextile? More on that in the next article.