Resistance of a nonwoven geotextile against mechanical damage and abrasion

The installation procedures (which induce mechanical damage) and abrasion can cause unwanted changes on the properties of the geotextiles. In this work, a nonwoven polypropylene geotextile was subjected to three degradation tests: (1) mechanical damage, (2) abrasion and (3) mechanical damage followed by abrasion (successive exposure). The damage caused by the degradation tests was evaluated by tensile, tearing and static puncture tests. Based on the changes occurred in the mechanical properties, reduction factors were determined. Results showed that the degradation tests provoked relevant reductions in the mechanical strength of the geotextile (higher reductions in the successive exposure to both degradation tests). The reduction factors for the combined effect of mechanical damage and abrasion obtained in the successive exposure to both degradation tests were different (slightly higher) than those obtained by the traditional methodology (determination of reduction factors separately for each degradation test and further multiplication).