Geotextiles used in civil engineering applications are expected to carry out one or more functions over if given design life. There are five defined functions, these are; drainage, separation, filtration, protection and reinforcement. Geotextiles are normally manufactured by either woven or non-woven techniques. The functional requirements of the geotextile in a given application will determine the performance properties required, and any assessment of the products durability will be based on the degradation of these properties over a given time.
Geotextiles particularly refers to permeable fabric or synthetic material, woven or non-woven, which can be used with geotechnical engineering material. They apply to a broad range of civil engineering construction, paving, drainage and other applications. Geotextiles are extensively used with soil, rock, earth or any other geotechnical engineering-related material.