Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
GSRL(G
S
R
L
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GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
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Geosynthetics industry in Korea
- Promising field for investment and development
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Many types of domestic geosynthetic products
- To be produced and their applications widely enlarged every year
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Types of geosynthetics
- Geotextiles, geomembranes, geogrids, PDB(plastic drain board), geocomposites, GCLs(geosynthetic clay liners) etc.
• Application fields of geosynthetics
- Soft soil reinforcement, soil retaining walls, waste landfills, road and subway construction, tunnel and earth dam construction etc.
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Technologies relating to Korean geosynthetics
- To be come mainly from U.S.A., Europe and Japan etc.
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In this paper - The recent technology circumstances of Korean geosynthetics
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
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Traditional geotechnical and civil engineering structures
- Long histories in Korea/no evidence about geosynthetics
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Woven geotextiles as protection materials in the breakwater construction
- A-San and Nam-Yang areas for the first time in 1971
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Geotextiles used as asphalt overlay materials
- Highway construction between Seoul
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Pusan/Sunchun
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Pusan
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Many types of geosynthetics
- To be increased every year and new materials have been developed since 1996
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Geosynthetic related construction
- Less familiar with that of traditional civil engineering fields
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
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• Korea economy
- Economic crisis under IMF control, 1998
Gradually recovering since the second half of 1999
• During the economic crisis
- Many large, middle and small construction companies to be bankrupt
- Many agencies to import foreign geosynthetics to be limited because of the rising trend of U.S. dollar rate
• Currently, Korean economy
- To be recovering since the second half of 1999
- Demands for geosynthetics : to be increasing gradually
- Imported geosynthetics from the USA and Europe to be slightly increasing at a uniform rate
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
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Table. Present State of Geosynthetics in Korea
Geosynthetics
Geotextile (woven)
Geotextile (nonwoven)
Geogrid (GG)
Geomembrane (GM)
GCLs
PDB
Geonet composite (GC)
Geopipe (GP)
Geofoam
Sheet drain(SD)
Miscellaneous
Raw Materials
PP, PET
PP, PET polyester, glass fiber
HDPE, EVA
GT/bentonite/GT or GM
GT/PP core
GT/GN/GT
HDPE
PS
GT/PE Core various
Number of Manufacturers
6
10
8
3
2
3
4
2
4
1
3
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
core
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• Geotextiles – Polypropylene or polyester
• Geomembranes – HDPE (high density polyethylene), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate)
• Geogrids – High tenacity polyester or glass fiber
• GCLs – Nonwoven/bentonite/woven or nonwoven geotextile, bentonite/HDPE geomembrane composite
• PDB – Spunbonded nonwoven geotextile filter covering a polypropylene drainage
• Geonet composite – Nonwoven geotextile/geonet/nonwoven geotextile
• Geopipe – HDPE pipe (smooth and corrugated)
• Geofoam – Expanded polystyrene
• Sheet drain – Nonwoven geotextile/various drainage cores
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
• Geotextiles
Nonwovens of staple fibers : Width ~8.6m, weight ~3500g/m 2
- Spunbonded nonwovens of filament fibers : ~600g/m 2
Woven geotextiles of split polyester and polypropylene yarns
: Design strength is 4~50 ton/m.
• Geomembranes
HDPE smooth type geomembranes : Thickness 1.0~2.0 mm
- Textured geomembranes : In progress
• Geogrids
Fabric type geogrids : high tenacity polyester yarns
: PVC or acrylic resin - coating agent
* In 1999 - glass fiber geogrids : In progress.
: Reinforcement materials in road construction
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
• GCLs
Nonwoven / bentonite / woven or nonwoven type
Bentonite + adhesive / HDPE geomembrane type
Specially designed GCLs to prevent the bentonite loss
- Powder and granular type bentonites
: To be imported from USA, Russia, China and Australia etc.
- As a composite liner for waste landfills
- As waterproofing materials in tunnels and subway construction
• Miscellaneous
Geofoam , geopipe and geosynthetic sheet drains etc.
: for special end uses in construction
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
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• Regulations of geosynthetics
- To be supervised by different ministries of the government
Ministry of Environment - G eosynthetics for waste landfills
Ministry of Construction & Transportation - G eosynthetics for general construction
Korea Highway Corporation - G eosynthetics for transportation
• Korean standards of industry
- JIS, ISO and ASTM standards etc.
• Geosynthetics
- GRI Standard Test Methods, ASTM, ISO etc. from 1998
• Test methods and regulations of geosynthetics in Korea
- To be influenced by special task forces in different installation fields
- Many regulatory standards to be adopted for different installation fields on the project-specific basis
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
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Training and education programs in geosynthetics evaluation, installations, case histories, etc.
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The supervising organizations for geosynthetic related seminars and conferences in
Korea
- To be supervised by the Korean Geotechnical Society from 1987 to 2000
- The Korean Geosynthetic Society (KGSS) from 2001
- To be focused to design and installation rather than manufacturing and testing
- Three to four seminars and conferences on geosynthetics per year
: For seminars - Special title to be related in geosynthetic installation
: For conferences - Special divisions
Geosynthetics manufacturing, testing and
Korean Geotechnical Society
– Division of Geosynthetics
Korean Geosynthetic Society(KGSS)
FITI : GSI-Korea
GS-ATRA (GeoSynthetic Application Technology Association)
Geosynthetics Research Committee of KOSEF (Korea Science and Engineering

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
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• Most waste landfills
- Steep slopes and many rough stones in the canyon landfills
- The problems for applications as following :
Failure of geomembranes due to the imperfect seaming
Destruction of waste landfill system and pollution of surrounded soils
Degradation of polypropylene nonwoven geotextiles due to UV attack
Decrease of tensile strength and elongation
Bentonite loss from GCLs etc.
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
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• Applications of geogrids
Soil retaining wall
Many reduction factors to be influenced the long-term strength
Specifically high reduction factors to be adopted
No considerations of reduction factors for high rainfalls and drainage systems
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• Application of geosynthetics as reinforcement materials
Soft soil reinforcement and road construction field
Woven geotextiles of high tensile stresses
Glass fiber geogrids : protection the failure by differential settlement
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
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Research topics and interests to geosynthetics
- Worldwide information, data, technical papers, etc. on geosynthetics
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Main research fields involving geosynthetics
- Soil retaining walls, waste landfills, roads, railroads and runway, soft soil reinforcement etc.
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Research on geosynthetic regulations and standardization
- GSRL (Geosynthetic Research Laboratory), Chonnam National University
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Testing methods - FITI: GSI-Korea
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Research on design, installation and assessment
- Korea Institute of Construction Technology
- Highway Research Center of Korea Highway Department etc.
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
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Most standardized geosynthetic test methods
- From JIS (Japan Industry Standard)
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New standardization project by the Korea Industry Standards
- From 1998 in accordance with ASTM, GRI and ISO standards
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- 2 standard test methods
- “ Glossary of geotextiles ” etc.
- 2 standard test methods
- “ Measuring metods for thickness of geotextiles ”
- 8 standard test methods
- “ Testing method for tensile strength of geotextiles ” etc.
- 4 standard test methods
- “ Measuring method for filtration aperture of geotextiles ” etc.
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
- 2 standard test methods
- “ Test method of weatherability of geotextiles using the Xenon-arc method ” etc.
- 4 standard test methods
- “ Test method for friction properties of geotextiles direct shear method ” etc.
Geotextiles > Geomembranes > PDB > Geogrids
Reinforcement > Drainage/Filtration > Water barrier > Separation
Highly oriented to the geosynthetic properties of task forces for installation rather than the suitability of geosynthetic application
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
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No significant differences between Korea and other advanced countries of North America and European nations in this regard.
(1) Geotextiles
* Woven geotextiles
High drawn split yarns (; ~3,000 denier) of high tenacity polypropylene, polyester
- Recently, the requirement of low elongation (~10%) woven geotextiles
: To improve the resistance against the fracture in installation fields
: Smart polymer resin for this purpose
* Nonwoven geotextiles
Staple fibers and filaments of polypropylene, polyester or recycled polyester with/without carbon black
- Needle punching and spunbonding methods
Specially designed manufacturing line
: to produce 8.5 m width, 3,500g/m 2 needle punched nonwovens.
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
(2) Geomembranes
* Smooth type
HDPE geomembranes with UV stabilizers and antioxidants
- Extrusion type with T-die and blown type with circular die manufacturing processes
- At least 2 mm thickness for waste landfills with the revised regulations by Ministry of Environment in 1999.
* Textured type
Spray-on(impingement) type textured geomembranes
(3) Geogrids
Fabric type geogrids : High tenacity polyester yarns and glass fibers
: PVC and acrylic resin as coating resins
(4) GCLs
Needle punched type and bentonite with adhesive/HDPE geomembrane type
Special composition of GCL layers and binder to prevent the fluid loss of bentonite
(5) PDBs
- Nonwoven geotextiles used as filters of polypropylene cores (heat bonding methods)
- Research on biodegradable filters and plastic cores to prevent environment pollution
Smart PDBs having excellent drainage performance
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
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For domestic geosynthetics
Large companies : their own trade routes from manufacturing to marketing
Most middle and small companies : an alliance - a kind of consortium
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Imported geosynthetics
- Through distributors and representatives located in Korea.
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Two types of purchasing and contracting agreements in geosynthetics
By government supply and the other is individual supply
: Supply Administration the Republic of Korea
: Turnkey type organizations
By individual companies
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
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Soft soil reinforcement - Nonwoven and woven geotextiles, PDBs, etc.
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Soil retaining walls - Nonwoven geotextiles, geogrids, etc.
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Waste landfills - Nonwoven geotextiles, HDPE geomembranes, GCLs, geonet composites etc.
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Tunnel construction - Bentonite mixed with adhesive/HDPE geomembrane type
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Subway construction - Bentonite mixed with adhesive/HDPE geomembrane type
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Road & railroad construction - Nonwoven and woven geotextiles, geogrids etc.
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Miscellaneous - Many types of geosynthetics associated with various end uses
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Agency for Technology and Standards
Ministry of Environment
Ministry of Construction & Transportation
Korean Standards Association etc.
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)

Chonnam National University
Dept. of Textile Eng.
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* FITI/GSI-Korea - GAI Accreditation Laboratory
56 items
- “ASTM D374 - Micrometer Thickness ” etc.
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- No organization or institute giving geosynthetic certification
- Private certification reports by Korean experts(?)
- Test reports from foreign geosynthetic laboratories
- FITI/GSI-Korea : certification of geosynthetics in Korea
GeoSynthetics Research Laboratory(GSRL)