Nonwoven Geotextile Fabrics for Drainage and Erosive Control Applications

Drainage is a key part of every hardscape installation. It can save you money in the long run by extending your pavement life.

Nonwoven geotextiles are the perfect choice for projects that require separation, permeability and drainage. They are less expensive than woven fabrics and provide many of the same benefits.

Needle-Punched

Needle-punched nonwovens are a type of nonwoven fabric produced by needling staple fibers together using barbed needles. The process creates a strong fabric that is resistant to abrasion and Nonwoven Geotextile can be used in a variety of applications. AGRU’s needle-punched nonwoven geotextile fabrics are available in a range of weights, depending on the project needs. These lightweight nonwovens are ideal for filtration, separation, and erosion control. They can also be used to add stability to soft, saturated soils.

Needle punched textiles are able to resist soil chemicals, mildew and insect damage and can be made in a variety of colors. They are also highly resistant to acid and alkaline environments. This resistance to corrosion makes them suitable for use in chemical and sewage treatment plants, as well as for landfill covers and linings.

Unlike woven geotextiles, which follow a uniform pattern, Needle-Punched fabrics are characterized by their random design created by the barbed needles. This gives them superior strength and allows for more air and water permeability than wovens.

Needle-punched nonwovens are often used for erosion control and drainage projects, such as building and road construction, landfills, adsorption of wastewater, soil stabilization, and slope protection. They are also useful for sand dune armoring to protect upland coastal properties from wave action and storm surge. The permeability of this type of geotextile also helps to reduce reflective cracking in new and existing paved roads.

Polyester

Non-woven geotextile fabrics are made by entangling fibers, either long or short together, using needle punching. These fabrics are then typically thermally treated to improve the tensile strength of the materials. These are often used for drainage applications, separation, filtration and protection. These types of materials are often referred to by their weight in terms of gsm/grams per square meter or ounces per square yard and feel and look more like felt in texture.

Polyester is a common material that is used for these products. It offers a high level of permeability, allowing water to pass through the fabric while keeping soil from infiltrating and clogging it. It also offers good corrosion resistance, aging and biochemical resistance.

Woven and Nonwoven are the two main types of geotextiles that are available for use during a hardscape project. Understanding the differences between these can help you choose the best fabric for your needs and prevent costly callbacks down the road.

Woven geotextiles offer high levels of strength and elongation that are needed to resist the stresses that are put on them during a construction project. They are also great for filtration, separation and stabilization projects. Non-wovens are great for filtration, separation and drainage but are not as ideal for stabilization or reinforcement. They do offer the benefit of being easier to handle than woven fabrics.

Polypropylene

Non woven polypropylene geotextile fabric is made without the use of chemical binders or glues. It is needle punched and heat-set to offer stability. It is easy to handle and is more flexible than woven geotextile fabrics. It is used in a variety of separation, drainage, and erosion control applications.

It can be installed beneath driveways and roads to provide long-term ground stabilization and filtration. It can also be used to separate different types of soil layers or as a lining in ponds and drainage structures. Its impermeable properties prevent water, air and other gases from escaping and helps the surrounding soil to retain moisture.

In a filtration application, the fabric can be used to filter out silt, dirt and other contaminants from incoming wastewater or stormwater. It is then able to drain through the soil and into a treatment plant. This prevents the contaminates Polypropylene bidirectional geogrid from entering the water supply and reduces the likelihood of downstream contamination.

It can also be used as a barrier to prevent the flow of water into trenches and excavations. It can be used in landfills to help keep the surrounding ground clean and safe. The fabric is resistant to puncture and tear, and it conforms to the ground or site contour for trouble-free installation. It is available in a range of weights to accommodate various needs.

Natural Fibers

The use of natural fibers in the construction of non-woven geotextiles offers an alternative to synthetic materials that are not biodegradable. These fibers are often made of cellulose, cotton, jute or sisal, and have a variety of properties, including permeability, strength, and chemical resistance that make them suitable for many applications. They are also less expensive than the other options for geotextiles.

Unlike woven geotextiles, which have a distinct weave and look like felt, the fibers in non-woven fabrics are interlocked together with barbed needles to create a dense fabric. Depending on their size, weight and appearance, nonwovens can serve the same functions as woven geotextiles such as separation, filtration, and drainage.

There are several different methods for making non-wovens, but needle-punching is the most common. Another technique is spunbonding, in which the extruded filaments are bonded using heated rolls. This produces a more smooth, stiffer product with reduced pore size and increased strength.

Non-woven geotextiles are designed to hold small particles of soil in place, allowing the structure beneath them to support heavier loads without breaking down. They also have the added benefit of preventing the clogging of water or sand, reducing maintenance and disposal costs. They can be used in walkways, patios, and landscape applications; under riprap to redirect excess water; or for soil reinforcement on slopes or river banks.