Civil engineers are the one deciding which category of geosynthetics they would want to employ in their projects since most geosynthetics have properties suited for specific purposes. And to exercise this fine expertise, one has to be well-told on all the nitty-gritty that separate one class of geosynthetics from the other.
Geogrids are polymeric grids in uniaxial and biaxial configurations. Strength characteristics of each configuration are bound in the direction of the grid’s opening. Their main function is reinforcement. The open mesh structure allows it to infill with the soil, making it a composite system of increased load-bearing capability. A quality like this makes geogrids very suitable for applications that include the reinforcement of weak soils, support of retaining walls, and the stabilization of slopes.
On the other hand, geotextiles are permeable fabrics made of woven, non-woven, or knitted synthetic materials. Unlike geogrids, their structure emphasises the flow of water while at the same time separating individual layers of soil. This barrier against the mixing of soils eliminates the possibility of losing structural integrity for a project. Geotextiles are used in drainage systems for roads and landfills as separating layers between waste and soil and as an erosion control measure in riverbanks.
Geogrids, with their unique open mesh structure, are exceptional in soil reinforcement, slope stabilisation, and retaining wall construction.
Geogrids reduce the amount of aggregate material required to stabilise weak soils. The interconnected cells within the geogrid distribute applied loads over a wider area, decreasing localised stresses.
Engineered for installation on steep slopes, geogrids can be installed with readily available topsoil.
Geogrids are implemented in retaining wall construction, specifically in the soil backfill. A reinforced backfill soil contributes to an improvement in the structural integrity of the retaining wall. They confine backfill material and distribute loads evenly, which is beneficial for retaining walls built on soft backfill or sloping ground.
Not deploying geogrids in your construction projects can adversely affect the cost-effectiveness and success of your construction project.
Large quantities of aggregates are used as a substitute for geogrids for reinforcement purposes. Consequently, there is added pressure on the budget to source and transport these additional materials. Also, standard methods may be more labor-intensive, which further inflates project costs.
Generic techniques for soil reinforcement involve intensive excavation and manipulation of the existing soil. The surrounding systems often get disrupted because of these activities.
Without the reinforcing properties of geogrids, soil structures are unable to distribute loads evenly. Uncontrolled settlement and stress concentrations can cause premature failure in structures.
Geotextiles offer a set of functionalities that improve various facets of construction projects.
The porous structure of geotextiles act as a selective barrier that allows water to pass through and retain soil particles at the same time. This proves invaluable in road construction, where proper drainage is essential to prevent cracking and rutting.
Geotextiles show proficiency in separating dissimilar soil layers. This prevents intermixing, which is important in applications where different soil types serve specific functions.
Geotextiles stabilise the soil surface and aid the growth of foliage, averting erosion. They can also be used to filter runoff water, preventing the transportation of sediment in the process.
Construction projects that employ geotextiles enjoy numerous upsides. Sticking to more conventional methods may cause several drawbacks, such as:
Without the separation and filtration qualities of geotextiles, different soil layers tend to intermingle. Improper filtration causes the migration of fines, compromising their strength and stability. Moreover, the absence of proper drainage within the soil can act as a catalyst for these issues.
An absence of geotextiles may require alternative solutions to achieve desired filtration, drainage, or separation functions. This may mean using additional granular materials or labor-intensive techniques, inflating project costs.
Geogrids and geotextiles are versatile tools, each offering unique functionalities. However, choosing the right geosynthetic necessitates a thorough understanding of their key differences. Here’s a detailed breakdown to guide your selection process:
Property |
Geogrids |
Geotextiles |
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Purpose and functionality:
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A grid-like structure created from high-tensile-strength polymers. Geogrids strengthen the soil, improving its load-bearing capacity.
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Synthetic fibers that excel in filtration, drainage, separation, and erosion control. They allow water to pass through while retaining soil particles.
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Material composition and strength:
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The materials used to manufacture geogrids include high-strength polymers like polyethylene, polyester, or fiberglass. Their manufacturing process, involving extrusion, knitting, or weaving, yields a grid-like structure with exceptional tensile strength and stiffness.
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Geotextiles are crafted from synthetic fibers like polyester, polypropylene, or nylon. The manufacturing process, either woven or non-woven, influences their properties. Woven geotextiles offer better strength and tear resistance, while non-woven geotextiles are preferable for filtration applications because of their increased pore space.
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Installation Considerations:
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Geogrids are unrolled and placed in the designated location, requiring minimal subgrade preparation. Seams between geogrids can be fastened mechanically or overlapped.
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Geotextile installation may require additional steps, depending on the application. For instance, in erosion control, proper grading and subgrade preparation is necessary to ensure a stable surface for geotextile placement.
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Water permeability and drainage:
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Thanks to their grid-like structure, geogrids support water flow within the soil. This characteristic comes into play in retaining walls, where proper drainage behind the wall averts excessive hydrostatic pressure buildup.
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The permeability margins of geotextiles are dependent on their specific purpose. For drainage applications, highly permeable geotextiles are chosen to facilitate water flow. Conversely, for erosion control, geotextiles with lower permeability are chosen to impede water flow and stabilise the soil.
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Durability and longevity:
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Geogrids are exceptionally strong and have a long service life. High resistance to ultraviolet radiation, chemical degradation, and temperature fluctuations.
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Geotextiles are adequately durable and prioritise filtration and separation over raw strength. The specific material and the environmental conditions influence their longevity. They exhibit good resistance to ultraviolet rays, moisture, and chemical corrosion.
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Geogrids and geotextiles share some common factors, but they are fundamentally different in their nature. The differences between the geotextiles and geogrids are crucial to be able to choose the material best suited for your project.
Strata Global geogrids i.e., StrataGrid™ and StrataGrid™ Biaxial geogrids, which are planar synthetic structures formed by a network of connected tensile elements, would be the best application for projects involving soil reinforcement. With tensile elements that provide extraordinary strength and stabilisation, Strata’s geogrids are ideal for projects like retaining walls and embankments.
On the other hand, our geotextiles i.e., StrataTex HSR™ would be very suitable for projects requiring filtration, drainage, or separation. The permeability of synthetic geotextiles manufactured by Strata is very good in the passage of water through the geotextile without carrying out the soil particles, which prevents the clogging of drainage systems; they provide efficient erosion control as well.
Selection will hassle free with the help of the experts of Strata Global. Your construction needs will be matched with the right geosynthetic solution to ensure the success of your project. Contact us today to get started.
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Director, President – Glen Raven Technical Fabrics
Strata/Glen Raven tenure: 10 years/28 years
Total industry experience: 35 years
MBA – Wake Forest University
Directs the strategic direction of Glen Raven’s automotive, protective apparel, military, geogrid, outdoor and logistic businesses.
Director, General Manager, Strata Inc.
Strata/Strata Inc. tenure: 3 years/14 years
Total industry experience: 25 years
MBA – Georgia State University
Led the integration of Strata Inc. business operations into the headquarters of GRTF and transition from USA based to India based manufacturing.
Director
Strata tenure: 17 years
Total industry experience: 47 years
CA – ICA
Played a key role in the establishment of Strata’s India operations. Provides vision for product innovation and leveraging new technology trends.
Global Technical Sales Director
Strata tenure: 7 years
Total industry experience: 32 years
Civil & Geotechnical Engineer (First class)
Provides highly technical and innovative civil engineering solutions in India and around the world. Responsible for the design and execution of large-scale geotechnical projects around the world including Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and South America.
CTO – Chief Technology Officer
Strata tenure: 9 years
Total industry experience: 48 years
BTech (Hons), MTech (Civil) Both IIT Bombay, DMS (Bombay University), FIE, FIGS, Chartered Engineer
Streamlines the designs of Geosynthetics and has brought innovation in geogrid and geocell design application.
COO – Projects and Sales
Strata tenure: 13 years
Total industry experience: 24 years
MBA – University of Gujarat
Leads the monetization of products and solutions while ensuring highest execution quality and project profitability.
COO – Technical Textiles
Strata tenure: 13 years
Total industry experience: 33 years
BE (Mechanical) – Nagpur University
Drives excellence in process design, product features and cost effectiveness in production.
CFO – Chief Financial Officer
Strata tenure: 8 years
Total industry experience: 35 years
CA – ICA, ICWA – ICWAI
Leads the finance, accounting, taxation, commercial, legal and IT functions and assisting on all strategic and operational matters.
CDO – Chief Development Officer
Strata tenure: 10 years
Total industry experience: 13 years
MBA – ISB, Hyderabad
Leads diversification of the product portfolio, monetizing the new products and ensuring successful sustained financial growth of the company top line.
CEO – Chief Executive Officer
Strata tenure: 14 years
Total industry experience: 42 years
B Tech (Chemical) – IIT Delhi
Leads day-to-day business operations of the company with focus on capacity expansion, product and process improvement.
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