Fabric
Fabric turns up in 2 fields: geosynthetics, mining. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Fabric in geosynthetics
Contractor and installer word for any geotextile, as in road fabric, filter fabric or putting the fabric down.
On most sites nobody says geotextile: the roll is fabric, and its use is the adjective, as in road fabric for separation, filter fabric for drains or stabilization fabric for soft ground. Installers also name it by weight or type, such as an 8-ounce nonwoven or a 200 woven, meaning 200 pounds grab strength. The loose usage hides big differences, so inspectors check roll labels against the submittal.
"Fabric first, then twelve inches of rock, and keep the trucks off it until the rock is spread."
Fabric in mining
The spatial and geometric arrangement of elements within a rock.
The internal structure of a rock formed by the orientation and distribution of its minerals, grains, and structural features. Geologists examine fabric to deduce the tectonic forces, fluid movements, or cooling histories that shaped the rock mass. It encompasses both microscopic textures and macroscopic alignments like foliation.
"The core samples show a strong planar fabric, indicating high shear stress in this zone."