Geoforce Indonesia is a company engaged in the field as a geosynthetic soil reinforcement materials with main product segmental retaining wall, earthwork, geosynthetic and soil improvement
Geosynthetics are various types of synthetic polymer materials that are specially fabricated for use in geotechnical, geo-environmental, hydraulic and transportation engineering applications.
In general, geosynthetic materials can be identified as having the main functions, namely separation or separator, filter, drainage, reinforcement, liquid and gas storage as well as erosion control. In some applications in the field, geosynthetic materials can simultaneously serve two or even more of these functions.
A. Separator
Geosynthetics are useful for separating two types of soil layers that have different grain size distributions.
For example: Geotextiles are useful for preventing the entry of soft subgrade material which usually has a fine grained size into the base layer material which has a coarser grained size distribution that is stockpiled on it.
B. Filter
Geosynthetics function exactly similar like sand filters where water can flow freely while the soil particles must be retained.
For example: Geotextiles that are used to prevent the entry of fine soil particles into the formation of an aggregate drainage layer or sub-surface drainage pipe system, but otherwise maintain the flow of water through the system. Geotextiles can also be used under rip-rap structures or other breakwater materials on the coast or river embankment protection to prevent soil erosion on slopes or embankments.
C. Reinforcement
Geosynthetics functioning as a reinforcing element in a soil mass or in combination with the soil can produce a kind of composite which has much better strength and deformation properties than an unreinforced soil mass. For example, geotextiles and geogrids are used to increase the tensile strength of a soil mass in order to form a vertical or near vertical construction (reinforcement wall).
This reinforcement function also allows an embankment to be built on very soft soil. In addition, it is possible to make embankments with slopes that have a much straighter angle than if they were built without reinforcement.
D. Erosion Control
Geosynthetics are useful for reducing soil erosion caused by the impact of rainwater and also surface water runoff. For example, temporary coverings of geotextile materials and the use of permanent lightweight geosynthetic mats can be installed on open slopes to reduce erosion. Silt fence geotextiles are used to remove suspended particles from sediment carried by surface runoff. Some materials for erosion control are made using bio-degradable materials such as wood fiber, jute, coconut fiber and others.
E. Drainage
Geosynthetics function as a drainage channel to carry liquid/water flowing through a layer of soil that has very little or even almost impermeable permeability. For example, geotextiles are used to dissipate the presence of pore water pressure in the subgrade embankment of a road construction. In order to obtain a larger flow capacity, a geo-composite material has been developed. This type of material has been used for pavement edge drainage, collector drainage on slopes, bridge abutments and drainage of a retaining wall system. Likewise, PVD (prefabricated vertical drains) materials have been widely used to accelerate the consolidation process in soft compressible layers under an embankment and pre-load construction.
F. Liquid/Gas Storage
Geosynthetics function as a relatively impermeable layer to the flow of liquids and gases. For example, geomembranes, composite thin film-geotextiles, geosynthetic clay liners (GLCs), field-coated geotextiles are used as retaining layers to block the flow of liquids or gases. This function is also used in asphalt overlays, wrapping swelling soil so that its moisture content does not change and also wrapping waste materials.
Geosynthetics are various types of synthetic polymer materials that are specially fabricated for use in geotechnical, geo-environmental, hydraulic and transportation engineering applications.
In general, geosynthetic materials can be identified as having the main functions, namely separation or separator, filter, drainage, reinforcement, liquid and gas storage as well as erosion control. In some applications in the field, geosynthetic materials can simultaneously serve two or even more of these functions.
Geosynthetics can be effectively used as drainage and filters in civil works and environmental engineering as an addition to or substitute for conventional granular materials. Geosynthetics are easier to install in the field and often cost less when the available granular material does not meet specifications, or has some constraints on applicable environmental regulations.
Hydraulic structures is a highly growing segment of the geosynthetic market. What is meant by hydraulic structure here is for dams and canals. Hydraulic structures in contact with water can be a cause of more serious damage to the environment. Geosynthetics are often required to limit interactions between structures and water. Geosynthetics can increase the stability of hydraulic structures.
The use of geosynthetics in agriculture is one of the fastest growing market segments worldwide. The earliest applications of geosynthetics were for agricultural use and the specification of geosynthetics was directed at lining ponds for agriculture, including linings for ditches, ditches, and irrigation canals to help conserve water, lining farm ponds, and rainwater catchment ponds in arid regions of the world. Nowadays, the use of geosynthetics and geomembranes, especially in agriculture, has grown significantly in recent years.
Erosion is a natural process caused by forces from water or wind. This is influenced by several factors, such as soil type, types of plants and land degradation, and can also be accelerated by several human activities that occur in the area. Uncontrolled erosion process can cause severe damage to the existing structure and also to the environment.
Geosynthetics are effective for use as an unpaved road reinforcement layer and also as a work platform on soft soils. If properly designed, a geosynthetic can have one or more of the following functions: separation, reinforcement and drainage functions
Horizontal layers of geosynthetic reinforcement can be applied to the embankment soil of the retaining wall system to provide a reinforced soil mass that functions like a gravity wall structure to withstand lateral stresses that occur behind the reinforcement zone.
Roads or highways are the most important infrastructure in development in every country. Due to the very heavy load of vehicular traffic, climatic conditions and the property of the materials used in the structure, the road pavement cannot achieve the expected performance.
In the construction of new railway tracks, geosynthetics can function as separators from materials that have different grain distributions, filters, drainage and soil reinforcement. Geosynthetics can be installed in or under the ballast or sub-ballast layers.
Embankment construction on soft soil is a very challenging job. In this context, the use of geosynthetics to improve embankment stability is one of the most effective and an excellent form of application in soil reinforcement engineering.
