Geosynthetics in roads and pavements

Specifying Geosynthetics 

For all applications, four selection criteria 

should be considered. 

Quality Control - Geosynthetics must be tested 

to insure they meet the specification. Most 

manufacturers test their geosynthetics and will 

supply certificates of compliance to the 

specification. However, on critical applications, 

additional testing should be performed by the 

user or an independent lab to guarantee that the 

geosynthetic complies with the specification. 

Geosynthetics are commonly specified using 

Minimum Average Roll Values which 

statistically assures the contractor that the 

material purchased will consistently meet specs. 

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                                                              GEOSYNTHETIC SUPPORT SYSTEMS:                                                                  59      

Prefabricated Systems, On-site Fabrication, Testing and Specifying 

For more information please contact the Geosynthetic Materials Association at www.gmanow.com. 

 

Minimum Average Roll Values (MARVs) assure that 

nearly all material exceeds specification requirements 

 

Survivability - Geosynthetics must be able to 

withstand installation stresses. Often these 

stresses are significantly more severe than 

application stresses.  

 

 

 

 

Installation damage testing determines how much the 

tensile strength of a product should be reduced to account 

for damage during construction 

 

Long-term Design - Geosynthetics must be able 

to function as designed over the life of the 

project. Most specifications include properties 

related to long-term performance. 

 

 

Transmissivity and Creep Testing are examples of 

commonly run design tests. 

 

Durability - Geosynthetics must be able to 

function in the application's environment over 

the design life of the project. Durability 

considerations are particularly critical for waste 

facilities and chemical storage areas, but should 

be examined whenever acidic or alkaline soils 

are present or unusual geosynthetic design 

conditions are known, (e.g. prolonged exposure 

to sunlight. etc.) 

 

Environmental Stress Crack Resistance testing is a 

common durability test run on geomembranes 

Specifications 

Appendix 1 presents representative generic 

material specifications for common geotextile 

applications.  The specification of other 

geosynthetic applications will generally require 

the input of a qualified engineering professional.

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Handbook of Geosynthetics 

© Geosynthetic Materials Association 

January 2002                                   

For more information please contact the Geosynthetic Materials Association at www.gmanow.com. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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