Geotextiles have the following applications in water conservancy projects:
In terms of anti-seepage:
Anti-seepage of earth-rock dams: Geotextiles are widely used in earth-rock dam projects. They can effectively prevent water flow from passing through the dam body, reduce seepage damage, and enhance the stability of the dam body. For example, in the construction of some small and medium-sized earth-rock dams, laying geotextiles as an anti-seepage layer can significantly reduce the risk of dam seepage.
Anti-seepage reinforcement of levees: Geotextiles are used to reinforce levees, prevent water erosion, and improve the overall stability of levees. For instance, in the risk removal and reinforcement projects of some river levees, laying geotextiles on the water-facing side of the levee body can prevent the river water from seeping in and protect the safety of the levee body.
Anti-seepage lining of channels: Geotextiles can be used as anti-seepage lining materials for channels to reduce the seepage loss of water resources during transportation. For example, using geotextiles to line farm irrigation channels can improve water use efficiency and save water resources.
In terms of reinforcement and protection:
Soil slope reinforcement: Geotextiles enhance the stability of soil slopes and prevent soil slope collapse. In the slope protection of water conservancy projects, burying geotextiles in the soil slope can improve the tensile strength and deformation resistance of the soil mass, effectively resisting slope instability caused by factors such as water flow scouring and soil self-weight.
Reinforcement of retaining walls: Geotextiles are used for the reinforcement of retaining walls. When used in combination with reinforcing materials, they can enhance the stability and bearing capacity of retaining walls and prevent wall deformation and collapse.
In terms of drainage:
Dam body drainage: In earth dams or earth dikes, geotextiles can be used as drainage materials behind anti-seepage geomembranes or under concrete protective surfaces. They can discharge the excess liquid in the dam body structure, reduce pore water pressure, and enhance the stability of the dam body.
Filter layer of drainage pipes: As a filter layer around drainage pipes or around gravel drainage ditches, geotextiles can not only ensure the smooth discharge of water but also prevent soil particles from entering the drainage system and causing blockages.
In terms of filtration:
Filter layer of wells and relief wells: Geotextiles are filter layer materials for wells, relief wells, or inclined pressure pipes in water conservancy projects. They can effectively filter impurities and soil particles in water and ensure the quality of well water or groundwater.
Protecting the integrity of the dam structure: In dam construction, as a filter layer material, geotextiles allow water to pass through while maintaining the soil structure, preventing the loss of fine particles and protecting the integrity of the dam structure.
In terms of anti-scour:
Slope protection against scouring: Geotextiles can be used as slope protection materials for soil masses, effectively preventing the slopes and toe of the soil from being eroded and scoured and protecting the stability of the soil mass. For example, in river regulation projects, they are used for riverbank slope protection to resist the scouring of the river water on the riverbank.
Protecting the riverbed: In some water conservancy projects, geotextiles are used to protect the bottom of the riverbed, prevent the scouring damage of the river water to the riverbed, and maintain the shape and structural stability of the riverbed.
