Chapter 1: Fundamentals of geosynthetics

In the present-day civil, mining and other related engineering practices, geosynthetics are used as one of the major construction materials. Their use offers technically efficient, cost-effective, sustainable, environment-friendly and/or energy-efficient alternative solutions to many field problems. This chapter describes the fundamental aspects of geosynthetics, including definitions and classification, historical development, functions and selections, raw materials and manufacturing processes, properties and testing, areas of applications, and available standards.