STANDARDS ON GEOSYNTHETICS

M.S.Verma
Vice President – Technical Textiles
M/s Reliance Industries Limited
 GEOSYNTHETICS – GLOBAL OVERVIEW
• Worldwide demand for geosynthetics is projected to rise 5.3
percent annually to 4.7 billion square meters in 2013.
• China, India, Russia and other countries with large-scale
infrastructure developments planned, and evolving environmental
protection regulations and building construction codes are
expected to register the strongest advances.
• Geo-synthetics are especially useful in an environment of
increasing land scarcity, increased awareness of seismic hazards,
and need more stringent environmental regulations especially in
the context of India.
• Strong growth in China is demonstrated by use of geosynthetics
in almost all government sponsored/controlled projects in various
areas while such is not the case in India.
 GEOSYNTHETICS – GLOBAL OVERVIEW

Global Scenario
• USA dominates the consumption
• China Fast Catching up
• India consumes less than 1.5%
Geosynthetics, produced globally
• Tremendous Potential Exists in India
• Global Manufacturers like Terram,
Du-pont, Naue focussing on Indian
Market

India consumption ~ 1.5 % at 9 KTA

Awareness Creation – First Step Towards Enhanced Consumption
INDIAN ROAD NETWORK

But condition of the road?

 INDIAN ROAD NETWORK

Quality road …..means huge potential for Geo textile

 INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
Infrastructure Scenario
• Total Investment to double in 2011-12
vis-à-vis 2007-08, Projected to cross
500,000Cr
• 2009-10 Govt. to spend Rs. 60000Cr
only for up-gradation of Roads
• Private Sector Investment in Roads to
cross 35% by 2011-12
• The Eleventh Five Year Plan has a
special focus on Rural Infrastructure
Development

Opportunities for Geosynthetics

GEOSYNTHETICS – REGULATION NEED IN INDIA
• In view of large potential for cost savings, environmental
protection, safety, economic and social importance of geo-
synthetics in the infrastructural development in India and the
environmental protection by their use, it is essential that their use
is made mandatory in India just like mandatory regulation of fly
ash or iodized salt, specially in the following areas:
– All highways, expressways and coastal roads, reinforcement with
geosynthetics must be mandatory when the CBR ratio is ≤ 3.5.
– In rural road construction as these are repaired / reconstructed after a
prolonged period.
– All coastal roads embankments which are on soft soil foundation, use of
geosynthetics must be mandatory.
• The BOT system, needs be modified to DBOT to give emphasis on
the initial design of the project and the latest technology like
geosynthetics.
 What are Geo-synthetics ?
• Geo-synthetics are synthetic products, where at
least one of the components is made from a
synthetic or natural polymer, in the form of a
sheet, a strip or a three dimensional structure,
non-woven, knitted, or woven which is used in
contact with soil/rock and/or other materials in
geotechnical and civil engineering applications .
• These include:
– Planar structures (geomembranes, geotextiles,
geosynthetic barriers, geonets, geogrids, geostrips,
geospacers and geomats, etc.) and
– Three-dimensional structures (geocells, geofoams,
gabions and concrete filled mattresses).
 POLYMERS USED IN GEOSYNTHETICS

Chemically linked large molecules of carbon atoms with

hydrogen or other atoms attached
 Polypropylene
 Polyethylene
 Polyester
 Polyamide
 Polystyrene
 Poly Vinyl Chloride
PP/Polyester /PE Geosynthetics – Most widely used across the Globe (more
than 95 percent)
 GEOSYNTHETICS AREAS OF Application
• In Roads and Pavements:
– Subgrade separation and Stabilization,
– Base Reinforcement,
– Overlay Stress Absorption and Reinforcement.
• In Subsurface Drainage:
– Subgrade dewatering,
– Road base drainage,
– Structure drainage.
• In Erosion and Sediment Control
– Hard Armor Systems, Silt Fence.
• In Reinforced Soil Systems:
– Embankments over soft foundations,
– Reinforced Steepened slopes,
– Reinforced soil walls.
• In Seepage control systems
– Structure water proofing,
– Environmental Protection.
• In Support Systems:
– Prefabricated Systems and On-site Fabrication
 Advantages of Geo-synthetics
• Cheaper in poduct cost, transport and installation.
• Can be designed (predictability)
• Can be installed quickly with flexibility to construct during short period.
• Consistent over a wide range of soils
• Space Savings
• Material Quality Control - More homogeneous than soil and aggregates.
• Better Construction Quality Control at site
• Easy Material Deployment
• Less Environmentally Sensitive
• Improved performance and extended life
• Increased safety factor
• Compatible with field conditions
• Increased service life of flexible pavement section by a factor of 2.5 to 3.0 for weak
subgrades (CBR 2%) and by 2.0 to 3.3 for moderate subgrades (CBR 4.2 to 4.5%)
• Increase in allowable load bearing capacity by 40 to 50% for subgrade CBR>3 and
well over 50% for subgrade CBR<3
• Increase in Traffic Benefit Ratio (TBR) from 1.5 to 70.
 Economic Importance of Geosynthetics

• Commonly accepted as durable, long lasting and

environmentally safe solutions to geotechnical
engineering projects.
• The cost of geo-synthetics applied usually between 3 to 5
per cent of the total cost of projects.
• For a number of projects, savings of 30 per cent in total
project costs have been reported.
• Minimizes the regular repair and maintenance costs
directly.
• Prevent accidents, increase efficiency of structures,
minimize pollution and leads to efficient use of natural
resources.
 Environmental Importance of Geosynthetics

• The civil engineering structures need to have long term durability

to prevent potential ecological disasters (floods, draughts,
earthquakes, global warming) . Geosynthetics provide such long
lasting solutions with minimum cost.
• Geo-techs are difficult or impossible to degrade. However, in view
of their inert nature they can be disposed off without the danger of
contamination.
• Geosynthetics assist the environment by acting as a containing
barrier for toxic materials.
• The envisaged functional lifetime of geosynthetics is extremely
long, in many cases over 100 years.
• Geosynthetics provide sealing and capping of pollution due to
chemicals released after road and rail accidents into groundwater
areas.
Geosynthetics -National / International Regulation

• Worldwide, approx. 40 countries have legislation/regulations (GRI Report).

• In Europe, the Construction Products Directive (89/106/EEC ; M/107) has
to be followed and the use of geo-textiles is mandatory.
• In Japan, the Government Directive applies to landfill construction sites.
• In the US, many Govt agencies (fedral and state) have mandated the use
of geo-synthetics in many applications. e.g. the use of silt fence fabrics for
erosion and sediment control. US Environmental Protection Agency has
mandated use of geo-synthetics in landfills (under Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act). Also, in many applications geo-textiles are specified by
govt agencies as the best product.
• Similarly California State has mandated the use of asphalt overlay over
existing roadway.
• It is essential that their use is made mandatory in India in order to
have increased efficiency with potential large cost saving, safety of
structures and minimum environmental pollution including large saving of
natural resources .
 MAIN ROADBLOCKS FOR INCREASING USAGES OF
GEOSYNTHETICS IN INDIA
• Lack of desired legislation
• Lack of required standards on geosynthetic products as well as on
design, construction and installation guidelines
• Lack of policy / regulatory initiatives by the central and state
governments
• Lack of awareness of standards and guidelines by the site
engineers / field staff
• Lack of national certifying and accreditation agencies for
geosynthetics in the country
• Lack of R&D facilities
• Incompleteness of existing standards and guidelines
 Geo-synthetics Standards
• ASTM Standards
• ISO standards (ISO/TC221)
• Indian standards (BIS)
• AASHTO standards
• FHWA standards
• NORDIC guidelines
• British Standards
• International Geosynthetic Society standards (IGS)
• Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI)
• Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA)
• US Provinvcial standards
• Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI)
• Geo-synthetica
• International Erosion Control Association (IECA)
• European Center For Standardization (CEN)
 AIMS OF STANDARDS
• Interchangeability
• Variety Control
• Fitness for Purpose
• Compatibility
• Safety
• MAXIMUM OVERALL ECONOMY IN TERMS OF:
– COST
– HUMAN EFFORT
– CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES
RESULT:
– POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO RECURRING PROBLEMS
– DEFINITION OF THE QUALITY LEVEL OF
PRODUCTS
 TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
STRUCTURE
(Members From)

Manufacturers
Manufacturers

BASIC APPROACH
Consensus Principle

Consumers,
Consumers,
Government
Government Balanced Committee
Departments
Departments Structure

Technologists, Regulating
Technologists , Regulating
Authorities,
Authorities,Testing
Testing
Laboratories,
Laboratories,Consultants,
Consultants,
Universities,
Universities,Other
OtherExperts
Experts
 BIS/IRC/RDSO STANDARDS ON
GEOSYNTHETICS
• BIS standards mainly on test methods, jute & coir geotextiles,
PVC / HDPE geomembrane for waterproof lining (IS
14715:2000; IS 14986:2001; IS 15869:2008; IS 15871:2009;IS
15909:2010; and IS 15910:2010 Geosynthetics for highways)
• IRC standards mainly on recommended practices/guidelines
and are being revised to include geosynthetics
• IRC/RDSO standards generally do not refer BIS standards and
requirements of geosyntheics in both are at large variation.
• Geosynthetic specifications mentioned in IRC/RDSO standards
are generally incomplete.
• BIS standards are also incomplete w.r.t. guidelines for design,
construction, installation and storage which are essential to get
the best results of geosynthetic applications.
• There appears no proper coordination between IRC and BIS
• Standards activity in IRC/RDSO is not universally acceptable
and needs drastic changes to include all stakeholders
EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL GEOTEXTILE
STANDARDS - FUNCTIONS AND APPLICATION
EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL
GEOTEXTILE STANDARDS
 REQUIREMENTS OF GEOSYNTHETICS
• General Properties Index Properties
– Material Type & Construction Strip tensile strength (2% & 5%
strain and ultimate tensile strength)
– Polymer(s) Grab strength
– Mass Creep resistance
– Thickness Flexural strength
– Roll dimensions Cutting - Trapezoidal tear strength
– Specific Gravity Shear modulus
– Absorption Poisson’s ratio
Burst Strength
Puncture Resistance
Penetration
Flexibility (Flexural Strength)
»
 REQUIREMENTS OF GEOSYNTHETICS
Endurance Properties Hydraulic Properties
– Abrasion Resistance Apparent Opening Size (AOS),
– UV Stability Percent Open Area, Porosity
– Biological Resistance Permeability / Permittivity
– Chemical Resistance Soil Retention Ability
– Wet/Dry Stability Clogging Resistance
– Temperature Stability In-Plane Flow Capacity
– Long term durability
Performance – Soil / Fabric Properties
– Stress - Strain
– Creep
– Friction/Adhesion
– Dynamic and Cycling Loading
– Soil Retention
– Filtration
 Parameters for Geo-synthetic Selection

• Geosynthetic Specification should also cover:

– Material Selection
– Designing of Geosynthetic
– Functional Requirements
– Application and Performance Requirements
– Durability Requirements
– Survivability Requirements
– Required Geosynthetic Structural and Integrity Properties
– Storage, handling and installation requirements
 THANK
YOU
FOR
ATTENTION