Geosynthetic Reinforcement Applications

Geosynthetic applications range from geotechnical to geo-environmental areas and include countless cases. In this paper, the aim was to introduce the reader to the reinforcement applications. A few examples of reinforcement were chosen to both demonstrate the frequently used applications and to draw the attention of the reader to the vast variety of other reinforcement applications. First a brief introduction to geosynthetics is given. As an example to a very frequently applied technique in practice, information is given on geosynthetics reinforced soil retaining walls. Especially the benefits of geosynthetic reinforced retaining walls under earthquake loading conditions is emphasized. Then some information is given on using geosynthetic reinforcement below foundations to improve the bearing capacity. As a third and final example, the use of geosynthetic reinforcement as an encasement around stone columns are mentioned. The improvement of the geosynthetic encased columns compared to ordinary stone columns under earthquake loading conditions was shown.