| As its name suggests Geotextiles refers to textiles | | | | properties and service life for which it is used. For |
| related to earth or soil. When any permeable material | | | | example, natural fiber base Geotextiles is used for |
| used with rock, soil or earth it is termed as Geotextiles. | | | | erosion control mats where durability is not a critical |
| The basic function of this technology is to prevent soil | | | | factor. |
| erosion to strengthening heavy concrete structures. | | | | Natural Fiber Based Geotextiles |
| This technology has not yet gained much attention in | | | | Natural fibers like Jute and coir have special |
| India, but is widely used in many countries for | | | | applications. These different fibers degrade at different |
| construction of bridges, roads, railway tracks to | | | | rates. Coir geotextiles degrade in 2 to 3 years while |
| improve its strength. Many researchers have view that | | | | jute degrades in 1 to 2 years. Because of this property |
| this technology is not newly developed but is in use | | | | coir is used in situations where vegetation takes longer |
| from past thousands of years. | | | | to establish, and jute is used in low rainfall areas as it |
| Formation of Geotextiles | | | | can absorb more moisture. Also used for rural |
| Geotextiles can be formed of synthetic fibers, natural | | | | unpaved roads. |
| fibers or combination of the two. In past Geotextiles | | | | Advantages |
| were made of natural plant fibers while today are | | | | 1. Natural fiber-based geotextiles are environmental |
| usually formed of synthetic polymers such as | | | | friendly. |
| polyester, polypropylene (PP), polyamides (PA) and | | | | 2. Its biodegradable nature has certain cost-effective |
| polyamides (PA). Geotextiles made from natural fibers | | | | applications in erosion control and re-vegetation. |
| are less durable as they get decomposed with | | | | 3. It is helpful in quick establishment of vegetation. |
| passage of time. | | | | 4. It also helps in dust control, sand dune formation, |
| Choice of formation depends on the required | | | | wind erosion control and stabilization. |