The use of geotextiles has steadily grown over the past century. Geotextiles were initially derived from existing textiles that were readily available on the market, such as carpet back and upholstery fabric. Manufacturers have modified geotextiles to provide increased benefits to roadway construction. While there are two main types (wovens and nonwovens), there is often still some confusion as to which product to use on your Jobsite. Common misconceptions about the functions of a woven geotextile vs. a nonwoven geotextile can often lead to added confusion. This tech-note will go into detail about the two main types of geotextiles and their functions.
Woven geotextiles:
First-generation woven geotextiles were made of slit tapes. Slit tapes are extruded flat yarns woven at 90-degree angles to yield a durable textile. Due to their wide smooth surface, they have very poor water permittivity and low soil interaction properties. These factors make them a poor choice for civil applications, especially in wet conditions.
Over time, the development of high-performance woven geotextiles has led to a more effective material. These developments have improved flow rates and higher interaction coefficients, making them much more suitable for civil applications by providing separation, confinement, and reinforcement. They also allow for improved filtration and drainage.
Nonwoven Geotextiles:
Similar to wovens, nonwoven geotextiles are made using a synthetic textile. However, they have a more random structure which is produced by the interlocking of fibers. Wovens and nonwovens are used in similar applications, leading to confusion. The easiest way to identify the difference between a woven and nonwoven geotextile is by its physical attributes. Nonwoven geotextiles look and feel like felt, with the characteristic “fuzzy” look to the material. When it comes to the manufacturing of a nonwoven geotextile, there are many different methods used today. The most common manufacturing method is by needle-punching. Needle-punched nonwoven geotextiles are made by taking a large number of small fiber fibers and using a barbed needle to interlock the fibers together. Nonwoven geotextiles are generally used to provide separation, combined with filtration and drainage functions when used in a civil application. The differences between woven and nonwoven geotextiles can be challenging to determine when looking at material specifications. Generally, wovens have higher strength values, while nonwovens have higher flow rates and permittivity. The easiest way to distinguish the difference between the two materials is by starting with elongation. Nonwovens will have much higher elongation than a woven. A nonwoven specification will list the elongation as being greater than 50%, while a woven will be listed as between 5% and 25%; if listed at all. The succeeding chart shows two examples of standard specifications for traditional woven and nonwoven materials. There are significant differences regarding their elongation and permittivity. However, tensile strengths are similar, given they are manufactured from similar materials. All of these items are important to consider when choosing the correct type of geotextile for your application. It’s essential to make sure you are using the right product for the right reasons.
Weight of Nonwovens:
When looking at the differences between woven and nonwoven geotextiles, another point of confusion is their weight. In both examples below, the weights are not listed. The weight of a woven geotextile is hardly ever specified. The reason being that they are typically used to provide separation and reinforcement, and are not dependent on the weight. Conversely, the weight of a nonwoven geotextile is often specified, which is why you will typically hear or say, “I am looking for an 8oz, 4oz, 10oz, etc.” For a long time, nonwoven geotextiles have been measured by their weight, meaning the finished product would be 8oz per square yard. The remainder of the specifications, which include the strength, puncture, etc. would be a direct result of the product weight. As the use of geotextiles has grown and developed, the manufacturing processes have changed as well. Now, most nonwovens can be manufactured with a lighter weight and still achieve the same strength properties, leading to reduced costs. There are always exceptions, such as in the case of using nonwovens as cushion geotextiles underneath geomembranes. In such instances, the puncture, weight, and thickness properties are more critical than the permittivity and strength properties.