The drainage geocomposite is the common type: the geotextile keeps soil out and the core carries water in its plane to a collector. Other geocomposites pair geotextiles with geomembranes or geogrids. Ply adhesion between layers and transmissivity under the design load are the main checks, because the geotextile can be pressed into the core and choke the flow.
Geocomposite behind the wall drains to a toe pipe, so wrap the bottom edge and don't let backfill in.
Also heard as
- drainage composite
- drainage geocomposite
Related terms
Geonet
Net of extruded polyethylene ribs that forms a thin, high-flow drainage layer within its own plane.
Transmissivity
In-plane flow capacity of a geosynthetic drainage layer per unit width, under a given gradient and normal load.
Drainage
Carrying water along the plane of a geosynthetic to an outlet, as in wall backdrains and leak detection layers.
Filtration
Letting water pass across a geotextile while holding back the soil particles it carries.