Geogrids are plastics formed into a very open, grid-like configuration – i.e., with large apertures between individual ribs in the machine and cross machine directions. Geogrids are formed in various ways: (1) stretched in one or two directions for improved physical properties, (2) made on weaving or knitting machinery by standard and well-established methods, or (3) made by bonding rods or straps together. There are many application areas, however, and they function almost exclusively as reinforcement materials.
(Koerner, Robert M. Designing with Geosynthetics 5th Edition. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. Print.)
WHAT IS GEOSYNTHETIC?
Generally, geosynthetic refers to a product that is made from polymeric material and is applied as a key component in a structure or system to achieve engineering purposes. The prefix “geo” suggests whose application has to do with soil, rock, and/or earth. There are some basic functions of geosynthetics namely separation, reinforcement, filtration, drainage, containment, barrier, surface erosion control, and protection; any geosynthetic product is expected to provide one or more of the functions. Applications of geosynthetics are mostly found in civil, transportation, geotechnical, environmental, hydraulics, marine, and private development engineering including roads, railroads, embankment, retaining walls, canals, erosion control, waste landfill, land reclamation, breakwaters, jetties, groins, revetments, aquaculture, agriculture, and mining. However, with the development of related products, the applicable range of geosynthetics can extend to areas other than the above mentioned.
According to Dr. Robert M. Koerner, there are eight types of geosynthetics: geogrids, geotextiles, geonets, geomembranes, geosynthetic clay liners, geopipe, geofoam, and geocomposites.
