Geotextile: Experimental Investigation Of Its Function In Road Construction

The concept of adding material to strengthen and stabilize soil dates back to 3000 RC. A more recent early application of said materials used a heavy cotton fabric as a separator to stabilize roads in South Carolina_ Now, geotextiles have been emerging field in civil engineering and other fields for offering great potential in various areas of application; as reinforcement, drainage, stabilization, separator, filtration, and protector. It plays a significant role in modern pavement design and maintenance techniques. This study aimed. To include geotextile in selected soil samples, analyze its performance, and conduct tests to assess geotextile's effectiveness in road construction. This study investigates the functions and effectiveness of nonwoven geotextile in clay and organic soil used as subgrade material taken from Brgy. Tinagacan and San Isidro, General Santos City, respectively. The researcher conducted five (5) tests to ascertain the effectiveness of geotextile in road construction specifically; separation test, sieve analysis, Zetterberg limits, moisture content, and California bearing ratio test This study employed experimental research design since the focus of the study is to determine the efficacy of geotextile in road construction. The laboratory tests were guided by AASHTO standards of soil testing and the DPWH laboratory testing manual. The test results were tabulated, analyzed, calculated according to DPWH Laboratory Procedures Manual, and some were interpreted using charts to accurately identify soil classification. The results showed that geotextile performed its function and effectiveness in reinforcement, drainage, and separation, based on the laboratory test results. However, it failed to make organic soil into a suitable subgrade material since the results in California bearing ratio both with and without geotextile were undetermined.