2. Technical Textiles
Definition
Technical are
Textiles textile materials
manufactured mainly for their technical
performance and functional properties.
Other terms used
Industrial Textiles
Functional Textiles
Performance Textiles
Engineering Textiles
Invisible Textiles
High-tech Textiles
2
3. Technical Textiles
Some examples of day-to-day use of
Technical Textiles
Kitchen –Floor Mops, Tea Bags, Coffee Filters.
Clothes – Collar / Cuff Interlinings, Shoulder Pads, Waddings in Jackets.
Shoe – Lining, Insoles, Toe Stiffners, Synthetic Uppers.
Car – Carpets, Roof-liners, Seat belts, Tyres, Airbags.
Civil Engineering – Geotextiles in Roads, Railway Tracks, Soil Erosion,
Slope Stabilisation, Flyovers, Pond/Canal lining, Landfills.
Furnishing – Carpets, Vertical Blinds, Wall Coverings.
Factory – Dust Collection Filter Bags, Liquid Filtration, Clean Air Filters of AC
systems, Battery separators.
Hospital – Masks, Gowns, Caps, Bandage.
Hygiene – Baby Diaper, Sanitary Napkin, Wet Tissues, Incontinence Diaper.
Bed – Blanket, Quilts, Mattresses, Bed sheets, Pillows.
3
4. TYPES OF TECHNICAL TEXTILES
According to the end use, technical textiles can be divided into
different categories.
AGROTECH: These are the Agro-textiles, also known as Agrotex, that are
used in agricultural applications releated to growing and
harvesting of crops and animals.
BUILDTECH: These are the Construction Textiles, also known as
Buildtex, used in construction and architectural
applications. Such fabrics as PVC coated high tenacity
PES, teflon coated glass fiber fabrics are used in airports
and hotels.
CLOTHTECH: These are the clothing textiles, also known as clothtex.
GEOTECH: These are the Geotextiles, also known as Geotex, which are
woven, nonwoven and knit fabric used for many functions
such as support, drainage and separation at or below ground
level:
5. TYPES OF TECHNICAL TEXTILES
HOMETECH: These are the Domestic Textiles, also known as Hometex, used
in making of many home furnishing fabrics including carpet backings,
curtains, wall coverings, etc.
INDUTECH: These are the Industrial Textiles, also known as Indutex, used in
different ways by many industries for activities such as separating, and
purifying industrial products, cleaning gases.
MEDTECH: These are the Medical Textiles, also known as Medtex. They
include all the medical fabrics that are used in health and hygiene
applications in both consumer and medical markets.
MOBILTECH: These textiles, also known as Mobiltex, are used in transport
industry, such as in construction of automobiles, railways ships etc.
ECO TECH(OEKOTECH): These are the Eco-friendly Textiles, also known as
oekotex or Ecotex. They are mostly used in environmental protection
applications, floor sealing, erosion protection, air cleaning, prevention of
water pollution, water cleaning, waste treatment/ recycling, depositing
area construction.
6. TYPES OF TECHNICAL TEXTILES
PACKTECH: These are the packaging Textiles, also known as Packtex.
Textiles have been used for packaging since ages.
PROTECH: These are the Protective Textiles, also known as Protex, that are
used in the manufacturing of protective clothing of different types.
Protection against heat and radiation for fire fighter clothing, against
molten metals for welders, for bullet proof jackets or for chemical
protective clothing all depend on the use of protech. The protective
textiles are made with the help of specialty fibers such as aramid fiber
used in making of bullet proof jackets, glass fibers used in fire proof
jackets etc.
SPORTTECH: These are the sports Textiles, also known as sporttex, used
mainly for making sports wear including sports shoes and
other sports accessories.
7. Technical Textile Products Inspected By QA
Wing of DGS&D
MEDITEX :- Surgical Gloves , Bandage cloth , Wool Cotton
Obsorvant & Coir Mattresses.
BUILDTEX: - Cotton canvas tarpaulins , HDPE tarpaulins, Mats Door
& Matting Coir.
HOMETEX:- Mosquito Net.
CLOTHTEX:- Shoes Canvas, Jungle Boots, P.C.Suiting ,shirting,
Terry Towel, Blankets etc.
PACKTEX:- HDP Bags, B-twill Bags.
SPORTEX:- Tents, Sleeping Bags.
INDUTEX:- Ropes.
PROTEX:- High visibility Cloths, Mosquito Net fire retardant.
MOBILTEX:- Helmets, Webbing, Tyre & Tubes.
8. World Scenario Technical Textiles
Fibre Consumption of textiles
Technical
textiles
22%
17
43
Textle
consumption
78%
Total consumption – 60 bn. kgs. (2000)
8
9. World Scenario Technical Textiles
Technical textile consumption by Region
USA
23%
Rest of World
32%
India
Western
3%
Europe
Japan 22%
7%
China
13%
Total consumption – 17 bn. kgs. (2000)
9
10. World Scenario Technical Textiles
Fiber consumption in Technical
Textiles
O the rs*
1%
Cotton
7%
Glass
15% Jute , coir
e tc
14% Viscose
3%
Polyolifin
25% O the r
Ce llulosic
7%
Polye ste r 3%
de
25%
mi
ly a
Po
* - Others include specialised fibres & yarns / high performance fibres /yarn. 10
11. World Scenario Technical Textiles
Product wise consumption
Unspun fibres
24%
Yarn Type
Fabric Products
67% 9%
11
12. World Scenario Technical Textiles
Global end use of fabric
Other Fabrics
Knitted Fabrics 2%
5%
Non woven
Fabrics
20%
Woven fabrics
73%
Total fabric consumption – 11 bn. kgs. (2000)
12
13. World Scenario Technical Textiles
End use consumption of nonwoven fabrics
agrotech
2%
medtech
33%
geotech packtech
indutech 3% 1%
12% Others mobiltech
14% 6%
protech
hometech
1%
12%
bulidtech
clothtech 15% sporttech
14%
1%
Total consumption – 2.2 bn. kgs. (2000)
13
15. SASMIRA
WHAT IS AGROTEXTILE
• Special textiles that are manufactured for agricultural applications
• These textile structures are used as controlling environment for
plants/animals in applications like
– Agriculture
– Horticulture
– Animal husbandry
• Benefits Of Agrotextile Products
Used in Protected Cultivation For Indian Agriculturists for
improved Productivity & Quality Of Produce and lower Cost
Of Production
MOT,GOI Workshop, 18.9.08
16. SASMIRA
FACTORS INFLUENCING AGRICULTURAL
ACTIVITIES
• Sunlight – direct and indirect
• Water
• Climatic Conditions including wind, hail,
humidity
• External factors like birds, insects, weeds
• Post Harvest handling of produce – storage
and packaging
• In India, presently Agricultural Activities are
carried out under Natural Conditions of
Temperature and Humidity
MOT,GOI Workshop, 18.9.08
17. SASMIRA
CONSEQUENCES OF ABSENCE OF
CONTROL FACTORS
• Yield percentage is unsatisfactory
• Quality of produce is marred
• Damages to the produce
• Regional limitation on cultivation
• Seasonal limitation on cultivation
THE ABOVE FACTORS CAN BE EFFECTIVELY CONTROLLED USING
AGROTEXTILE PRODUCTS
MOT,GOI Workshop, 18.9.08
18. SASMIRA
AGRO TEXTILE PRODUCTS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN AGRICULTUR
PRODUCT APPLICATION IN AGRICULTURE ANIMAL FISHING
HUSBAN-
CROP FLORICUL - HORTICUL- POST DARY
PRODUCE TURE TURE HARVESTING
KNITTED NETS
SHADING
BIRD
PROTECTION
WIND SHIELDS
ANTI-HAIL
HARVESTING
FISHING
MILCHING
PACKAGING
SUPPORT NETS
MOT,GOI Workshop, 18.9.08
20. SASMIRA
Agrotextile Product Details
Bird Protection Net
Polypropylene monofilament / Polyethylene Tape yarns, Warp
knitted, 2 – 3 cm mesh size, 40 – 80 g/sq.m. Woven structures of
lighter weight are also used
Shading net
Polypropylene monofilament / Polyethylene Tape yarns, Warp
knitted, mesh size as per the required shading %, 40 – 80
g/sq.m. Woven structures of lighter weight are also used
Windshield fabrics
Polypropylene monofilament / Polyethylene Tape yarns, Warp
knitted, mesh size as per the required wind blocking %, 40 – 90
g/sq.m. Woven structures of lighter weight are also used
MOT,GOI Workshop, 18.9.08
21. SASMIRA
Agrotextile Product Details,
contd..
Plant nets
Polypropylene monofilament / Polyethylene Tape
yarns, Warp knitted, Strips of nets with large opening,
30 -40 g/sq.m
Harvesting nets
Polypropylene monofilament / Polyethylene Tape
yarns, Warp knitted, Flat nets of square or triangular
construction, of mesh size 8 – 12 mm, 40 – 90 g/sq.m.
Woven structures of lighter weight are also used
MOT,GOI Workshop, 18.9.08
22. SASMIRA
Agrotextile Product Details,
contd..
Mulch Mat
Polypropylene, spunbonded, 60 – 80 g/sq.m.
Woven biodegradable structures are also used
Packing Material
Polyethylene Tape yarn, Warp knitted, 50 – 60
g/sq.m
MOT,GOI Workshop, 18.9.08
23. SASMIRA
OEKOTECH
&
VARIOUS PRODUCTS
To
PROTECT ENVIRONMENT
MOT,GOI Workshop, 18.9.08
24. SASMIRA
OEKOTECH
Oekotech is an important areas of technical textiles.
Used for environmental protection and waste disposal.
Its use is based on environmental damages for:
• Building demolition
• Power plant ash
• Sewage treatment sludge
• Incinerated waste ash
• Municipal waste
• Untreated hospital waste
• Hazardous waste
• Radioactive waste
MOT,GOI Workshop, 18.9.08
25. SASMIRA
OEKOTECH PRODUCTS & USES
• Geogrids - reinforce slopes beneath the waste, walls, cover soils above
geomembranes;
• Geonets - in-plane drainage;
• Geomembranes – a barrier to liquids, gases and/or vapors and landfill caps;
• Geocomposites –for separation, filtration or drainage;
• Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) - an infiltration/hydraulic barrier; used also for mine
rehabilitation, tunnels, secondary containment
• Geopipes - landfill applications to facilitate collection and rapid drainage of the
leachate to a sump and removal system;
• Geotextiles - filtration purpose or as cushion to protect the geomembrane from
puncture.
MOT,GOI Workshop, 18.9.08
26. Introduction
From ancient times the textile materials were
used for medical applications in India viz.
surgical sponge, linen, silk sutures, strips, catgut,
etc.
Latest technological developments has enabled
extensive use of technical textiles in healthcare
industry today.
27. Usage category
In theMedical Textiles – bio-contact for days to
months
Sutures (biodegradable and non biodegradable)
soft tissue implants
Artificial tendon (meshes)
Artificial ligament
Artificial cartilage,
Orthopedic implants artificial joint
Cardiovascular implants vascular grafts
Heart valves
28. On the Patient – bio-contact for minutes to hours
Simple bandages
Light support bandages
Compression bandages
Orthopedic bandages
Surgical Gauze
Cotton
Slings
Diapers
Eye Pads
Drapers
Sanitary products
Patient Hospital Uniform
Adhesive tapes
29. Categorisation of Technical textiles in Medical Field
In the Patient (Intra-corporal applications)
On the Patient
Near the Patient
For the Patient
30. Usage category
In the Patient – bio-contact for days to months
Sutures (biodegradable and non biodegradable)
soft tissue implants
Artificial tendon (meshes)
Artificial ligament
Artificial cartilage,
Orthopedic implants artificial joint
Cardiovascular implants vascular grafts
Heart valves
31. On the Patient – bio-contact for minutes to hours
Simple bandages
Light support bandages
Compression bandages
Orthopedic bandages
Surgical Gauze
Cotton
Slings
Diapers
Eye Pads
Drapers
Sanitary products
Patient Hospital Uniform
Adhesive tapes
32. Near the Patient – No bio-contact, ordinary contact possible
Bed sheet
Pillow cover
Other linen items viz. Blanket, Hand Towels etc.
Heating Pad
33. For the Patient – No contact
Face Mask
Gowns
Caps
Aprons
Mops
Shoe Cover
34. Areas of usage
Healthcare/ hygiene products
Include bedding, clothing, surgical clothes,
products for feminine hygiene like sanitary napkins,
baby and adult diapers etc.
Non-implantable materials
For wound care that includes absorbent pad
(wound contact layer, base material viscose, plastic
film) and bandages (simple inelastic/elastic,
orthopaedic, plasters, gauzes, lint, padding)
35. A range of natural fibers and biodegradable
polymers with non-biodegradable synthetic
polymers are being utilised for developing new
products in medical textiles.
Since the medical textile applications are directly
related to the life of human being, these are
required to undergo stringent testing and hygienic
criteria.
This led to innovative use of variety of fibers and
lot of developments taking place in this field.
36. Fibers used in manufacturing of nonwovens for medical applications
•Cotton
•Polyester
•Polypropylene
•Viscose glass fiber
•Wood fluff
•Polyamide
37. Quality Standards as per FDA
Standards prescribed by FDA for some of the items is tabulated below
Item Threads Weight in Length and Other
per g/m2 Width
Dimensio
ns
Bandage Wrap 150, 57 tolerance 99 % of size Foreign Matter
Cloth Weft 85 of 5% mentioned on Not more than
the label 2%
Absorbe Wrap 75, 30 tolerance 98 % of size Foreign Matter
nt Gauze Weft 55 of 5% mentioned on Not more than
the label 1%
Avg. sinking
time not more
than 10 secs.
Roll Wrap 150, 35 tolerance 98 % of size
Bandage Weft 75 of 5% mentioned on
for POP the label
38. Conclusion
Textiles are very important in all aspects of medicine
and surgery.
Advances in nonwovens have resulted in a new breed
of medical textiles.
Advanced composite materials containing combination
of fibres and fabrics have been developed for applications
where biocompatibility and strength are required.
It is predicted that the nonwoven materials will continue
to have greater impact in this sector because of large
member of characteristics and performance criteria
required from these materials.
43. FLAT WOVEN KNITTED
CIRCULAR
FLAT WOVEN
WARP KNIT TRICOT
VELVET DOUBLE NEEDLE BAR KNIT
FABRICS
USED
COATED &
COMPOSITES
LAMINTED
USING FIBRES LIKE
FOAM FABRIC CARBON,GLASS,ARAMID,BOR
ON,CERAMIC WITH RESIN FRP
TRIM FABRIC CAN MADE
44. CHARACTERISTICS OF FIBRES
Resistance to sunlight and UV degradation
Abrasion resistance
Reduced flammability
Soil resistance and easy cleanability
Resistant to microbes and other bacteria
Hard, strong with high tear as well tensile
strength
Softer handle and touch
Very high bursting strength(sails)
46. SAILS
Definition
A Textile material extended on rigging
to catch wind and propel a boat.
Requirements:
light weight, dimensional stability
Puncture resistance, high tear
strength
high seam strength
Low porosity to wind, low water
absorbency
Good resistance to microbes
UV degradation and smoothness
47. Cont…
Natural fibres are replaced by polyester
and nylon materials.
Polyester film laminated on nylon and
polyester fabrics.
Recent trends are using carbon, ultra
high modulus polyethylene yarns
Spectra and Dyneema
Aramid fibres are avoided due to poor
UV-stability.
48. INFLATABLE CRAFT
Nylon woven fabric (145gsm)
For lighter craft woven from
470dtex.
Heavier yarns, like 940 d/tex
used for larger boats.
Aramid fibres at 85gsm can also
be used.
Life boats and rescue craft
For economical craft
Freight carrying vessels
polyurethanes & PVC materials
Pleasure Craft
are used.
Several military applications
49. FURNISHING FABRICS
Cruise ships can be regarded as FLOATING
HOTELS. So quality of textiles must be
standard
High flame retardancy standards due to narrow
corridors and low ceilings
Dyes must be fast to fast to light, rubbing and
salt water
wool carpets are generally Zirpro treated
titanium /zirconium salt)
Durable Anti-static properties are needed
conductive fibres are more durable than finishes
50. HOVERCRAFT SKIRTS
Nylon fabric is coated with
polychloroprene / natural rubber
blend or natural
rubber/polybutadiene.
The nylon cords like 940dtex/2 and
940 dtex/3/3.
This is highly twisted to impart
fatigue resistance. Hovercraft can be
Though aramid fibres are stronger deployed on terrain such
but due to poor fatigue resistance as marshes where boats
not used in this application. cannot go.
51. OIL BOOMS
These articles are designed to contain accidental oil spillages in
rivers and ocean.
woven nylon or polyester as a base fabric(175gsm)coated with
Hypalon, polychoroprene, PVC or PVC/ nitrile rubber, urethane .
The material should be oil resistant.
52. ROPES AND NETS
Where ropes need to stretch and to absorb high-
impact energies.
Nylon ropes, followed by polyester ropes are
popular olden days.
Second generation of synthetic fibers-aramid,
high-modulus polyethylene, Vectran & PBOone-
tenth its weight when compare to steel.
The low weight and high strength of HPPE fibres
to produce heavy-duty ropes. Its normally Float
on water, are flexible and have a low elongation.
53. FUNCTIONAL APPLICATIONS
life rafts, buoyancy tubes, canopies and life
jackets, and personal flotation devices,
minesweepers, sonar domes and in
corrosive-cargo carriers.
Life jackets made by woven polyamide
coated with butyl or polychloroprene rubber
to get gsm of 230 290.
Quality tests include air porosity, coating
adhesion, breaking and tear strength both in
the warp & weft direction, flexing &
waterproofness.
57. TEST METHODS
Property British standards Other related standards
Abrasion BS 3424-24:1990 (1996) ASTM D 3389-94(rotary)
resistance Methods 27A and 27B
BS 5690 (Martindale)
Tear strength BS 3424:1982 (1996) ASTM D 1424(Elmendorf)
Methods 7A, 7B, 7C
Water BSEN 29865(Bundesmann) AATCC 35-1AATCC 42
resistance BS 5066:1974 1993 (impact)994
rain (WIRA)
tests
Tensile strength BS 1932 for yarns and threads ASTM D 751 for coated
breaking and BS 3424 Pt 5 for coated fabrics fabrics
elongation / ASTM D 1578-93 yarns
by
Skein method
Dimensional BS 4736:1996 cold water SAE J883 Jan 94 cold
stability water
SAE J315A
Fogging BS AU 168:1978 SAE J1756:1994
58. TESTS FOR PRODUCTS
PRODUCTS Standard Comments
Buoyancy aids, rescue BSEN 12628:1999 UL 1123
devices
Life jackets and BSEN 393:1994 to 396:1994 BSEN
personal buoyancy aids
Recreational inflatable's - UL 1180
Upholstery BS 5790 (PVC) ASTM D 4852 (attached)
ASTM D 3690 (PU/PVC)
Tarpaulins BS 3408:1992 (1995) (ASTM D 751-98)
Marine IMO Regulations e.g. IMO -
Resolution A471 (XII) for fire
resistance
59. MARKET STATUS
Rubber coated fabrics including those coated with natural
rubber neoprene,silicone, rubber or butyl rubber will post the
fastest gains in 2012.
Through 2010 polyester will remain the most commonly used
coated fabric because of its low cost and versatility.
63. ASTM D4439 defined a geotextile as follows
Geotextile : A permeable geosynthetic comprised solely
of textiles. Geotextiles are used with foundation, soil,
rock, earth, or any other geotechnical engineering-
related material as an integral part of a human-made
product structure, or system.
Due to the very wide range of applications and the
tremendous variety of available textiles having widely
different properties, the selection of a particular design
method or design philosophy is a critical decision that
must be made before the actual mechanics of the
design process are initiated.
64. Geotextile Functions and Mechanisms
An overview of geotextiles, alluded to many
applications falling into categories:
Separation
Reinforcement
Filtration
Drainage
Containment
When properly identified, lead to the design-by-
function method.
65. Geotextile choices as available
1. Lightweight Wovens
2. Heavyweight
Wovens
3. High Flow Wovens
4. High Strength
Wovens
5. Thermally Bonded
Non-wovens
6. Needle punched Nonwovens
66. Geotextile Functions and Mechanisms
Separation
Bituminious
Courses
Thickness
Designed
Aggregate
Bases
Geotextile
Layer
Subgrade
67. Geotextile Functions and Mechanisms
Filtration and Drainage
Bituminious Courses
Aggregate Bases
Geotextile Layer
Aggregate Drainage Layer
Subgrade
68. Geotextile Functions and Mechanisms
Reinforcement
This is the synergistic improvement in the total system
strength created by the introduction of a geotextile into
a soil and developed primarily through the following
three mechanisms:
One, lateral restraint through interfacial friction
between geotextile and soil/aggregate.
Two, forcing the potential bearing surface failure plane
to develop at alternate higher shear strength surface.
And three, membrane type of support of the wheel
loads.
69. Geotextile Functions and Mechanisms
Sealing Function
New Overlay
Pavement Crack with
Paving Fabric
Reflective Crack without
Paving Fabric
Old Pavement
Base Course
70. Major Applications of Geotextiles
Separation of Dissimilar Materials
Between subgrade and stone base in paved roads and
airfields
Between landfills and stone base courses
Between geomembranes and soil drainage layers
Between foundation and embankment soils for surcharge
loads
Between foundation and embankment soils for roadway
fills
Between foundation and encapsulated soil layers
Between foundation soils and rigid retaining walls
Between slopes and downstream stability berms
Beneath precast blocks and panels for aesthetic paving
e.g. hardscaping
71. Major Applications of Geotextiles
Separation of Dissimilar materials
Between drainage layers in poorly graded filter
blankets
Between old and new asphalt layers
Reinforcement of Weak Soils and Other Materials
To reinforce embankments
To aid in construction of steep slopes
As basal reinforcement over soft soils
To bridge over cracked or jointed rock
To create more stable side slopes due to high frictional
resistance
72. Major Applications of Geotextiles
Filtration (Cross-Plane Flow)
Beneath stone base for paved roads and airfields
Around crushed stone surrounding under drains
Around perforated under drain pipe
As a flexible form for restoring scoured bridge pier
bearing capacity
Between backfill soil and weep holes in retaining walls
Between backfill soil and gabions
As a filter beneath precast blocks
73. Major Applications of Geotextiles
Drainage (In-Plane Flow)
As a drain behind a retaining wall
As a drain at the base of retaining wall
As a replacement for sand or wick drains
74.
75.
76.
77.
78. Band Drains / Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVD)
These are geocomposites formed of a hollow cored,
geotextile wrapped drainage element (geonet) inserted
vertically into soft ground to speed up the consolidation
process.
Prefabricated Vertical Drain Installation of PVD
79. Band Drains / Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVD)
Kandla Port – Ground improvement
Band drains has been adopted to increase the bearing
capacity of the site. The following parameters have been
adopted:
Scheme SBC Spacing of Preload Duration SBC after
before Band Drain Height (Days) treatment
treatment with Triangular (m) (T/m2)
(T/m2) Grid
(m)
Scheme-1 2.00 1.25 4.00 80 10.21
Scheme-2 2.00 1.50 4.00 120 10.11
80. Band Drains / Prefabricated Vertical Drains (PVD) at
Kolkata
81. Emerging Issues
R&D Needs of the Indian Geotechnical Industry
The Need to Encourage the Domestic Synthetic
Manufacturing Industry
Need for Establishing a Geosynthetic Institute in India
Standardization in the Field of Geosynthetics
Geosynthetics Test Standards and Specifications
86. Nanotechnology spans many
Areas
Information Mechanical Biotechnology
Technology Engineering /
Eng. &
Robotics
Transportation
Advance
Materials &
Textiles NANOTECHNOLOGY National
Security &
Defense
Energy &
Environment
Food and
Aerospace Medicine / Agriculture
Health
95. Current Applications
burn and wound dressings, water filtration
devices, paints, cosmetics, coatings,
lubricants, textiles, memory/storage devices
medical diagnostics, displays, sensors, drug
delivery, composite materials, solid state
lighting, bio-materials, nano arrays, more
powerful computers, protective armor, chem-
bio suits, and chem-bio sensors
Separation is defined as, “The introduction of a flexible porous textile placed between dissimilar materials so that the integrity and the functioning of both the materials can remain intact or be improved” (Koerner, 1995) [3]. In transportation applications separation refers to the geotextile’s role in preventing the intermixing of two adjacent soils. For example, by separating fine subgrade soil from the aggregates of the base course, the geotextile reserves the drainage and the strength characteristics of the aggregate material. The effect of separation is illustrated.
It is defined as “the equilibrium geotextile-to-soil system that allows for adequate liquid flow with limited soil loss across the plane of the geotextile over a service lifetime compatible with the application under consideration (Koerner, 1995) [3]. To perform this function the geotextile needs to satisfy two conflicting requirements: the filter’s pore size must be small enough to retain fine soil particles while the geotextile should permit relatively unimpeded flow of water into the drainage media. A common application illustrating the filtration function is the use of a geotextile in a pavement edge drain.
In spite of the realization that a promising avenue of economic activities has been opened up by Geosynthetics, the interdisciplinary nature of this industry and the current state of affairs of the Indian polymer and textile industries constitute serious hurdles of its growth. Lack of trained manpower is another concern. R&D issues would be primarily governed by the extent of cooperative activities of the interested parties, namely the designers, test organizations, suppliers, manufactures, and installers. There is a dire need to quickly break the barrier of isolation between the customer, consultant, contractor and the manufacturer. Unless necessary co-ordination is established, the true benefits of Geosynthetic materials shall not be realized. The most of the Geosynthetic material including woven and non-woven geotextiles are currently being imported / manufactured in India with technologies derived from various countries. As these are from different countries, it is obvious the test methodology varies from the country of origin. Therefore, there is a need for establishing a Geosynthetic institute in India. Formulation of Indian Standard relating to engineered Geotextiles / Geomembranes and allied products (natural and polymeric) for various civil engineering applications. There is a need to develop methods of tests, design construction and selection criteria. Even though BIS is publishing several documents the project related authorities are required to adhere more and more to the published national / international standards and guidelines. This will minimize the gap on required information for project clearance and completion. The end users and specifiers on Geosynthetic in the country must be aware of significant of technical parameters and their appropriate evaluation procedures. Development of a comprehensive manual is the requirement to achieve successfully implementation and long-term performance of the structures.