GEOSYNTHETIC ROAD PAVEMENTS: A WAY FORWARD

Abstract

Geosynthetics are synthetic products used to stabilize terrain. They are generally polymeric products used to solve civil
engineering problems. This includes eight main product categories: geotextiles, geogrids, geonets, geomembranes, geosynthetic
clay liners, geofoam, geocells and geocomposites. The primary functions of geosynthetics are separation, filtration, reinforcement,
drainage and containment. Generally, road pavements are of two types: 1) Flexible Pavements (Asphalt/ bituminous), 2) Rigid
Pavements ( R.C.C/ P.C.C). Main use of geosynthetics in road pavements is, in road pavements geosynthetics are used as
separation, filtration, drainage, reinforcement, asphalt reinforcement, soil stabilization, erosion control of highway embankments.
By which road pavement life can be improvised and strengthening of the road pavement can be done. It provides economic as well
as environmental benefits. The cost benefit of using geosynthetics includes tangible benefits in the form of lower capital costs.
However the lifetime benefits of the project would essentially result in conserving the environment. Other benefits are cost benefits
of using geosynthetics for landfills, cost benefits of using geosynthetics for roads, cost benefits for rural roads(unpaved). IRC
(Indian Road Congress), MoT (Ministry of Textiles), MoRTH (Ministry of Road Textiles & Highways), NHDP (National Highway
Development Project), PMGSY (Pradhan Mantry Gram Sadak Yojana) in these all government organizations of India have given
advantages and uses of geosynthetics in road pavements with their specifications.