Ongoing research in geosynthetics is vital for modern infrastructure

The utilization of geosynthetics continues to develop and grow around the world due to the recognition in their ability to optimize designs as well as to improve project constructability. 

Geosynthetics are a polymeric family of products that encompass geotextiles, geomembranes, geogrids and geocomposites.  Since the 1960’s these products have become integral and fundamental in delivering long-lasting, efficient and sustainable projects around the world for transportation, waste management, mining and other civil engineering applications.  However, civil engineering continues to face new challenges from extreme events caused by climate change, land development in less desirable locations and availability of resources. Geosynthetics can help address many of these challenges, which is the drive for continued on-going research into product development and their applications.

Geosynthetics help adapt solutions to the impact on infrastructure due to events such as floods, droughts and freeze-thaw cycles which can stress the performance and longevity of geotechnical assets. Research into how different geosynthetics can be used to address the impact of these conditions is an important area of consideration. For example, the use of geosynthetics in roadways over expansive soils, which are heavily influenced by changes in moisture. Also, the impact on infrastructure from melting permafrost caused by increasing ground temperatures in cold regions. Research not only on specific products but strategies on their implementation to address changes in moisture, loss of support and deformations.

Another area of development is in the composition of materials.  Currently geosynthetics are primarily fabricated using virgin petroleum-based products such as polypropylene, polyethylene or polyester. For the purposes of sustainability, research on the potential use of recycled plastics and bio-based products offers a new source of raw material for these products.  Research on their mechanical properties such as strength and their response to the load, chemical and biological durability, and overall long-term performance is a new area of research. 

Another area of research is the integration of technology into “smart” geosynthetics.  These products incorporate embedded elements such as fiber-optic, conductive elements or micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) into products such as geotextiles and geogrids.   These smart geosynthetics could be deployed for monitoring changes over time of moisture, stress, and deformation for critical structures or as an instrumented platform for other research programs. This technology could also help in developing monitoring systems for geotechnical assets within an asset management program. Research into sensor survivability, reliability and interpretation are needed to encourage their use in mainstream projects. 

These are a few examples of on-going research that enhances the contributions these products make in civil engineering applications. It is important to continue to support these research efforts as complex demands from the lack of resources, expanding land usage, and climate change continue to challenge existing systems. The goal is to continue to develop products and tactics to address these new challenges while keeping an eye on assuring excellent performance, durability and cost efficiency that geosynthetics are expected to bring to the table. 

Daniel E. Alzamora, P.E., is a contributing editor for Geosynthetics and has spent more than three decades in the geosynthetics industry in both the public and private sectors.

For additional information:

1. Geosynthetic Market Size & Share Analysis – Growth Trends and Forecast (2026 – 2031) https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/geosynthetics-market
2. Evaluation of Geosynthetics Use in Pavement Foundation Layers and Their Effects on Design Methods https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/57409
3. Geosynthetics with enhanced lateral drainage capabilities in roadway systems  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214391217301058
4. NCHRP Synthesis 643 Title: Use of Sustainable Materials for Erosion and Sediment Control Practices https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/29034/chapter/1#iv
5. Distributed Fiber Optic Smart Geosynthetics for Geotechnical Applications in Transportation  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452321624010187
6. Smart Geosynthetics and Prospects for Civil Infrastructure Monitoring: A Comprehensive and Critical Review  https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/12/9258
7. Smart Geosynthetics for Performance Monitoring and Life Cycle Assessment of Transportation Infrastructure  https://rip.trb.org/View/2646950
8. Geotextile composition, application and ecotoxicology—A review https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389416304010
9. Review on the Use of Recyclable and Biodegradable Materials as Geosynthetics https://www.academia.edu/114936642/Review_on_the_Use_of_Recyclable_and_Biodegradable_Materials_as_Geosynthetics
10. Review of current and future bio-based stabilization products (enzymatic and polymeric) for road construction materials https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214391220303469