The use of geosynthetics in infrastructure projects improves their quality and helps them remain durable over a longer period of time says Kartik Kanodia, Director, Manas Geo Tech India Pvt Ltd.

How does Geosynthetics help reinforce in infrastructure projects?
Geosynthetics like Geo Grids; Geo Textile and Geo Cells help reinforce infrastructure projects.

Geo Grids: They are a regular pattern of holes in a sheet of Polymer material stretched into a grid. Geo Grids are of two types: Uniaxial & Biaxial.

Manas Uniaxial Geo Grids are mainly used in RE walls as a flexible mesh used to create a coherent reinforced mass behind the retaining wall to stabilize the soil.Biaxial Geo Grids are mainly used to stabilise subsoil under roads and railways. Manas Geo Grids along with Non-Woven Geo Textile have proven to be a great technique to increase the CBR of the soil.

Geo Textile: Geo Textile is a permeable textile made of Polymer used to separate, reinforce, drain and filter when used in association with soil. There are two types of Geo Textile: Woven Geo Textile & Non-Woven Geo Textile.

Woven Geo Textile: Manas Woven Geo Textileconsistsof regular patterns formed by weaving with the help of a number of threads. These fabrics are extremely strong and can easily take heavy Load. Hence Woven Geo Textile is extremely useful in railways track foundation.

Non-Woven Geo Textile: Manas MGT Non-Woven Geo Textile are formed by random placement of fibres by the Needlepunching method. These are the most widespread and useful Geo Synthetic and greatly help in separation of different layers of soil, acts as a filter, drains the water into the side ditches, provides reinforcement to the structure. Manas Non-Woven Geo Textile is greatly used in roads and railways to increase the CBR of the soil.

Geo Cell: Geo Cell is a three dimensional honeycomb structures used for overall confinement of the soil and thus preventing the lateral spreading of the soil on the application of load. Geo Cell is also an excellent solution as they help in reinforcement of soil by compacting the same.

What is the future of Geosynthetics in India?
In an interview given by Nitin Gadkari (Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India) with the members of SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) conducted on May 7, 2020, talked about setting a target of constructing roads worth Rs15 lakh crore in the next two years. The government is concentrating and spending tremendously on Indian infrastructure and giving utmost importance to its quality. Also, he emphasized that the quality of infrastructure is also equally important.

Thus modern-day techniques like Geosynthetics improve the quality of infrastructure and also help to prolong the life of these projects. Also, studies have proved that efficient use of Geosynthetics can double the life of the infrastructure project.

What steps should the authorities take to promote Geosynthetics?
The first and most important step is to lay down proper guidelines for the efficient use of geosynthetics. Currently, as per MORTHH (Ministry for Road & Bridge Works), the fifth revision Section 700 is on Geosynethics. This revision only includes specification of Geosynthetics whereas there are no application guidelines for the same. Proper usage of guidelines will help consultant and contractors to make efficient use of this highly effective technique.

Also, many countries like America and Europe have made it mandatory to use Geosynthetics in government projects. India should also take some steps in this direction and promote the use of geosynthetics.

How can Geosynthetics play an important role in bridge construction?
Geo Textile, Geo Grids can be effectively used in bridge construction for reinforcement. Geo Textile should be used to reduce lateral deformation of the bridge embankment and to prevent the closure of the expansion devices in the bridges. Manas Geo Tech has imported state of the art manufacturing facility from Europe with utmost focus on manufacturing Geo Textile with international ASTM & EN ISO standards. We are currently supplying to all major infrastructure projects in India and also exporting to all parts of the world.