Main applications of geotextiles

High modulus woven geotextiles FORTEX of GEOMATRIX are woven with fibers of the exclusive G5 Multifilament of High Tenacity Polyester (PET), characterized by having high mechanical and hydraulic performance. Its structure is defined by the weft insertion technique, which gives it a rapid response in tension to soil deformations and stability in hydraulic performance at any level of tension or confinement. Additionally, geotextiles FORTEX They are characterized by:

• Present a high resistance to tension – deformation ratio (high mechanical modulus, see Figure 1). The high modulus mentioned establishes a tensional component that, when involved in the granular medium, increases the elastic recovery capacity and the support capacity of the granular substructure and prevents deformation of the foundation soil, thus favoring both the construction process and functional competence. of the pavement.

 

 

 

• Figurera 1. High Deformation Modulus of polyester geotextiles 

(From Typical properties of fibers. Batson. Designing with Geosynthetics. RM Koerner). 

PET: high tenacity polyester, PP: polypropylene, HDPE: high density polyethylene. 

Present high mechanical stability over time (low creep, see Figure 2).
This concept refers to the low yield or plastic deformation experienced by geotextiles. FORTEX long-term compared to polypropylene (PP) geotextiles, which means that the reduction in resistance due to this concept is minimal and, therefore, the reinforcement function is maintained over time, controlling future deformations of the structure.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Figure 2. Creep results in fibers of different polymers. (From Koerner RM, Designing with Geosynthetics)

 

• Guarantee its durability in the face of contact with naturally aggressive soils, due to the high molecular weight and carboxyl group of the G5 PET Multifilament. 
• Present stability in its hydraulic behavior in any state of tension or confinement. geotextiles FORTEX They are manufactured using the weft insertion weaving technique, in which the horizontal and transverse fibers are arranged in two independent layers, intertwining them with a third group of fibers that are inserted by adjusting the nodes, as seen in the Figure 3.
  In this way, the main fibers remain straight, ready to assume load at the slightest deformation, while maintaining their position, guaranteeing that the area of the pores or open area does not change due to tensioning or confining the geotextile, achieving stability in hydraulic performance. 

                                                                                   

• The hydraulic behavior achieved prevents the generation of excess pore pressure that causes cushioning in the granular layer. From the mechanical point of view, the elements that make it up are completely straight, thus achieving a rapid mechanical contribution that favors both the performance of the embankment structure and the development of the construction process, thus generating a great difference with woven flat tape geotextiles of Polypropylene.
•  When placing the geotextile, an important reinforcement, separation and additionally filter effect is generated.

 

Woven geotextiles FORTEX They offer a high modulus and great resistance to tension, so that when interacting between granular layers or between the subgrade soil and granular layers they generate a considerable increase in the supporting capacity of the soil. The reinforcement effect generated is promoted by the phenomena of improvement of the support capacity and the stressed membrane effect (Perkins and Ishmeik 1997 a), which guarantee a competent and high-performance structure.

 

 

BENEFITS OF FORTEX GEOTEXTILE 

Taking into account these characteristics, the implementation of the soft soil reinforcement solution with geotextile FORTEX It mainly presents the following benefits: 

•  Substantial increase in the supporting capacity of the subgrade soil in a saturated condition for performance during the construction and service stage of the proposed structure. 
• It allows constituting a work platform for the operation of construction equipment without exceeding the support capacity of the subgrade. 
• Controls deformations that may occur due to volumetric changes in the subgrade
• When placing the geotextile, an important reinforcement and separation effect is generated, and additionally a filter, improving the service conditions of the structure. 
• A stress distribution is obtained that allows the acting loads to be absorbed mostly by the upper layers so that the subgrade soil presents conditions of low deformations due to low acting stresses. 
• Subgrade reinforcement allows for a better modular relationship from the first layer of the structure, thereby increasing the performance and durability of the structure. 
• geotextiles FORTEX They provide long-term stability given the low creep of the G5 polyester multifilament with which they are manufactured, which additionally contributes in terms of resistance to the occurrence of permanent deformations and critical conditions in the performance of subdrainage systems. 
• The reinforcement of the subgrade generates great speed in the construction process, since it eliminates the appearance of failures, reducing extra costs in excavations and materials while reducing construction times.
  

geotextiles FORTEX By interacting between the granular layers or between the subgrade soil and the granular layers over a large area, they generate an increase in the supporting capacity of the soil while modifying the distribution of stresses in depth. The aforementioned effect is explained by the phenomena illustrated below: 

• Improved support capacity. 
• Stressed membrane effect (Perkins and Ishmeik1997a). 

 

Improved support capacity 

This mechanism is a consequence of the upward displacement of the failure envelope of the foundation system. The geotextile acts as a barrier that controls the lower surface of the failure envelope, completely confining it to the upper soil layer that offers greater shear resistance than the subgrade (see Figure 4). 

 

 

Figure 4. Bearing capacity improvement effect. 

 

 

Tensed membrane effect 

This effect is based on the improvement of the vertical stress distribution capacity resulting from the tensile stress in a deformed membrane (see Figure 5). The deformation of the subgrade soil upon application of the load causes the tensioning of the geotextile, whose vertical component generates a relief of the stresses imposed by the overload, thus protecting the foundation soil. 

 

 

Figure 5. Tensed membrane effect

 

As a complement to the above, when it is in direct contact with the subgrade, it acts as a means of separation between the subgrade material and the granular layers, avoiding contamination by intrusion and/or direct contact, guaranteeing the performance of each of them. the layers of material from the beginning (see Figure 6). 

 

 

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