Filtration Functio
The role of a geotextile as a filter is to permit the free flow of water from one side of the geotextile sheet to the other, without significant long-term loss of soil particles. (9)
Fig (I-1) Separation function of geotextiles
Fig (I-2) Reinforcement function of geotextiles
(wall construction using geotextiles )
When filtration is the primary function to be
achieved two contradictory mechanisms to be achieved, adequate flow capability
and upstream soil particles retention. Adequate flow requires large fabrics pores
but soil particle retention requires small fabric pores. Thus, knowledge of both
the flow regime and soil characteristics are essential for proper design (10)