ABSTRACT
Internationally, geosynthetics have become established in geotechnical engineering practice as a useful means to stabilize soils over poor ground and in walls, steep slopes and embankments. This paper attempts to highlight the positive contribution geosynthetics can make to the design of these structures. Although geosynthetics perform various functions in a wide range of applications, this paper focuses on the reinforcing and separation functions. In the 20 years since geotextiles were first designed into near vertical retaining walls, widespread utilization of this method has been realized, however conservatism in design prevails.
