Emerging and Future Developments of Selected Geosynthetic Applications

Abstract

This paper presents 17 separate applications within the current technology of geosynthetics. They were selected as being illustrative of the wide range of applications that can utilize geosynthetics in geotechnical, transportation, hydraulics, and geoenvironmental engineering. All are permanent and/or critical applications wherein design by function is required, thereby necessitating the calculation of a product-specific test result versus a site-specific design requirement. This calculation results in a factor of safety, which must be assessed accordingly. In this regard, geosynthetics are no different from any other engineering material. This paper, however, does not go into calculation details, which are available in the literature. References are provided in this regard. The various applications presented were selected to illustrate that both emerging developments and future possibilities are ongoing. This approach illustrates the dynamic nature of the field of geosynthetics, which is both exciting and stimulating, and speaks well for future endeavors.