Geotextile Fabric Adds Structure To Construction Projects
28 February 2011
When thinking about the strongest materials in the world, many people automatically think of metals like steel. In reality strength involves more than raw materials, an example of which can be found in spider webs which are orders of magnitude stronger than steel. Fabrics have also shown their own level of strength and have been adapted to be used in all types of civil engineering. Geotextile fabric is an important part of any construction project that builds upon soil.Since soil is a main component in almost all construction projects, these textiles are used in a multitude of areas. There are three main varieties of this fabric: woven, needle punched, and heat bonded. Depending on the needs of a project, a particular type is the best fit for the job.The main attribute to this fabric is reinforcement. Soil is not the strongest base to build upon and so layering this material on top of it adds strength. This works well for sand dune type coastal areas that are especially susceptible to erosion.Preventing erosion is important, but geotextiles can also filter and drain certain areas that are at risk for an accumulation of ground water. In landscape gardening, in addition to adding reinforcement to slopes, these fibers can be designed to erode over time and enrich the surrounding soil.Demolition is another important part of building, but doing it in a controlled manner can prove difficult. Coupling this material with steel enforcements can contain even the most explosive events. A safe implosion of a building is the result of precision and the right structural materials.Many people are ignorant to the logistics of building and the many facets that must be accounted for with geotextile fabrics being only one of a variety of materials that work in concert to maintain structural integrity through a variety of environments.