I. Introduction
Geotextiles as critical geosynthetic materials are widely used in hydraulic, transportation, environmental and construction projects1. This analysis compares woven and nonwoven geotextiles in production, performance and economics.
II. Manufacturing Processes
‌Woven Geotextiles‌
- ‌Process‌: Traditional weaving of warp/weft yarns (cloth-like structure)
- ‌Materials‌: PP/PET polymers, sometimes glass fiber reinforced
- ‌Advantage‌: High strength/stability for demanding applications
‌Nonwoven Geotextiles‌
- ‌Process‌: Fiber web consolidation (needle-punching/hydroentangling/thermal bonding)
- ‌Materials‌: PP/PET fibers, sometimes natural/recycled fibers
- ‌Advantage‌: Superior filtration/drainage capabilities
III. Performance Comparison
| Property | Woven Geotextile | Nonwoven Geotextile |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | High (>50kN/m) | Moderate (10-30kN/m) |
| Elongation | Low (5-15%) | High (30-100%) |
| Filtration | Poor (large pores) | Excellent (uniform pores) |
| Permeability | 10^-3^-10^-4^ cm/s | 10^-1^-10^-2^ cm/s |
IV. Applications
‌Woven‌
- Highway/railway subgrade reinforcement
- Dam/reservoir stabilization
‌Nonwoven‌
- Landfill leachate filtration
- Agricultural drainage systems
V. Cost Analysis
- ‌Material Cost‌: Woven 20-40% higher than nonwoven
- ‌Installation‌: Woven requires specialized equipment (+15% cost)
VI. Case Studies
‌Highway Project‌
- Woven geotextile reduced long-term maintenance by 35%
‌Landfill Project‌
- Nonwoven saved 25% in initial costs vs woven
VII. Conclusion
Select woven geotextiles for high-load applications, nonwoven for drainage/filtration needs. Consider lifecycle costs for optimal ROI.
