Geonet – Versatile Soil Reinforcement and Drainage Materials

Geonets are versatile three-dimensional synthetic drainage materials used to address a variety of environmental and geotechnical challenges. They can be used in tunnel construction to enhance soil stability and allocate loads; in erosion control systems, preventing the loss of slopes and embankments; and in landfill liner systems, collecting and draining leachate and gas venting.

Drainage

Drainage capabilities are a key benefit of Geonet, as they help to prevent water buildup in soil and surrounding structures. This is because their ribbed or net-like structure creates pathways for fluid movement. They also enhance drainage by reducing hydrostatic pressure and excess water buildup, which can otherwise cause foundation or structural damage.

In addition, Geonets can also be designed with built-in filter capabilities. This is achieved by adding a layer of non-woven filter fabric to the surface of the ribbed core. The filter fabric helps to retain soil or sand particles while allowing filtered water to pass through. This is useful in applications such as landfill leachate collection systems and subsurface drainage.

Moreover, Geonets can also be manufactured as drainage geocomposites. These are comprised of a drainage geonet with a layer of non-woven needle-punched geotextile laminated to one or both sides. This is designed to help prevent soil particles from clogging the drainage geonet and can offer superior performance in challenging applications.

US Fabrics manufactures a range of three-dimensional, bi-planar drainage geonets and geocomposites to meet the demands of heavy highway and environmental markets. These are specifically formulated to allow them to withstand high compressive loads seen in landfill cells and other demanding applications. The drainage geocomposites provide excellent lateral drainage of liquids and gases while maintaining their integrity under extreme load conditions.

Reinforcement

Geonet is a popular choice for soil reinforcement due to its drainage capabilities and strength. It is crafted with a unique diamond structure formed by crossing two sets of polymeric grids at a continuous angle. This design assures uniform channels and density, enabling it to discharge water rapidly even under high loading conditions.

Additionally, it helps stabilize the ground and avoid landslides. It can also be used to boost the bearing capacity of roads and other infrastructure projects. The material is also effective for erosion control, preventing the loss of soil and reducing damage to buildings, road surfaces, and ecosystems.

Extensive experimental and numerical studies have been conducted to evaluate the performance of shallow foundations on soft clay with and without geonet reinforcement. The results show that geonet significantly increases the bearing capacity of Geonet low-compacted soft clay by up to six times more than its natural condition.

The results of the study also demonstrate that the shear stress distribution within the soil is improved by the presence of geonet. The lateral extension of the shear stress bulb is reduced by the thickness of the geonet layer and the spacing between layers. In addition, the results show that a rectangular footing results in the lowest settlement. These findings are consistent with previous literature on the performance of geonets in various soil conditions.

Erosion Control

Drainage Improvement: The open grid-like structure of geonets facilitates the rapid movement of water and other liquids, reducing the risk of water buildup and hydrostatic pressure. This improves drainage capabilities, preventing ponding or flooding and ensuring the longevity of constructions such as landfill systems and embankments.

Soil Stabilization: When used in combination with other geosynthetic materials, such as geotextiles, geogrids, or geomembranes, geonets can help to stabilize soils, minimizing differential settlement and improving load-bearing capacity. They can also separate soil layers, preventing their mixing and enhancing the overall performance of the soil.

The versatility of geonets allows them to be used in a wide range of applications. They are often used for drainage, filtration, gabion supplier and erosion control, but they can also be incorporated into road constructions, railway tracks, dams, foundations, and more. In addition, they are ideal for use in soft foundation treatment, slope protection, and rock protection.

High Load Capacity

The ribbed structure of geonets offers an ideal balance between hydraulic conductivity and soil particle retention, and is used in applications such as landfill leachate collection systems, subsurface drainage, and erosion control. They also contribute to soil stabilization, enhancing the strength and resistance of the underlying soil and reducing the risk of slope failure.

As part of a complete geosynthetic system, geonets improve the performance and durability of soil, reducing maintenance costs over the project’s lifetime. They are also chemically inert and resistant to degradation from exposure to chemicals and UV radiation, minimizing the need for costly replacements and repairs.

SKAPS Geonets are made of high-density polyethylene for better flow under load and are available in several sizes to match your project requirements. All SKAPS geonets are manufactured to meet the required performance levels for various projects, including soft foundation treatment, roadbed enhancement, reservoir bottom reinforcement, and coastal slope protection.

Compressive stress-strain curves provide an indication of the load capacity of a geonet. The curves show a linear behavior up to 40% of strain, at which the geonet experiences a seating load (or rollover). In practice, this translates into a minimum stress value for a given application. SKAPS Geonets are designed with a nonrollover geometry and can be used in applications up to this stress limit. This feature allows for safer handling and lower installation cost, compared to traditional materials such as geomembranes.