Guidelines for Use of Fabrics in Construction and Maintenance of Low-volume Roads

John E. Steward · Ron Williamson · John Mohney

Jan 1978 · USDA, Forest Service

About this ebook

Porous woven and non-woven fabrics have been used in road construction in Region since 1974. The fabrics have been used: 1) as filters for subsurface drainage; 2) separation layers to prevent subgrade soil contamination of base layers; 3) subgrade restraining layers for weak subgrades; 4) earth reinforcement to build retaining walls; S) erosion control, and 6) water proofing membranes. A reference notebook titled "Fabrics In Construction" is due for release to Region 6 Forests in June 1977. This notebook contains a description of current practices and the state-of-the-art in the use of fabrics in road construction and maintenance. The notebook defines terminology and lists the key factors involved in each usage, and relates the fabric physical and chemical properties to the intended usage. The notebook also contains appropriate technical literature, manufacturers' literature and cost data on the known available fabrics. This report highlights the contents of the reference book and discusses the current knowledge for the use of fabrics in low-volume road construction and maintenance. Present and projected uses of the fabric and the most significant physical properties related to these uses are discussed. Probable future uses and the areas of greatest need for technical knowledge and experience are outlined. The process for moving a fabric or fabric use from the conception and trial use state into full use with standard specifications and design criteria is described.