Basic structure of geobags

• From a structural point of view, geobags are mainly composed of three parts: fabric bag body + suture process + filler:

• Bag material (fabric): This is the main component of geobags. Its material determines the core indicators of the bag, such as strength, durability, UV resistance, and corrosion resistance.

• Suture and interface technology: Geobags are usually sealed by suture or hot melt. The quality of sutures and suture methods determine whether the bag will crack or break during filling and use. 

• Filling materials: Common fillers include sand, stone, mud, concrete, vegetation matrix, etc., and their selection varies according to the purpose of the project (reinforcement, slope protection, ecological greening, anti-seepage, etc.).

  
  

  
  

  

Classification by material composition

• Polypropylene geobag (PP): cost-effective, excellent strength, corrosion resistance, lightweight;

• Polyester geobag (PET): high temperature resistance, strong anti-aging performance;

• Polyethylene geobag (PE): good flexibility, good UV resistance;

• Biodegradable geobag: mainly used in ecological engineering and sustainable projects, more environmentally friendly.

Polypropylene (PP)

Performance characteristics:

• Low density (about 0.91g/cm³), light weight;

• High tensile strength, moderate elongation at break;

• Excellent corrosion resistance, resistant to acids, alkalis and most organic solvents;

• Moderate UV resistance, which can be enhanced by adding UV stabilizers;

• Extremely low water absorption, not easy to mold.

Scope of application:

• Bank protection and dams in water conservancy projects;

• Temporary or semi-permanent reinforcement structures;

• Ecological greening projects.

Polyester (PET)

Performance characteristics:

• High tensile strength, better stability than PP;

• Good heat resistance, strong thermal stability (melting point about 260℃);

• Excellent resistance to UV, aging and hydrolysis;

• Some high-performance PET materials have good rigidity and elasticity.

Scope of application:

• Seawall, port engineering;

• Anti-scouring of underwater structures; 

• High temperature, high humidity or strong UV environment.

Slope management: highway slope stability and greening

Project background: The highway passes through the mountain, the slope is steep, and landslides and vegetation loss are prone to occur in the rainy season.

Application method:

• Use ecological geotextile bags that can be implanted with grass seeds for staggered laying;

• Fill the soil bags with mixed nutrient soil and grass seeds to form a plant buffer zone.

Project results:

• Enhance slope stability and prevent rainwater erosion;

• Achieve more than 80% green coverage within two months;

• Improve the overall landscape effect and meet environmental protection construction standards.

Coastal restoration project

Project background: The coast is severely eroded by typhoons and tides, resulting in the retreat of the embankment and the destruction of the ecosystem.

Application method:

• Use high-strength PET+PP composite geobags to build an "ecological buffer embankment";

• Fill the soil bag with sand, and the outer layer is supplemented with permeable fabric to promote biological attachment.

Project results:

• Effective energy absorption and wave reduction, resisting wind and waves above level 5;

• Six months after completion, algae and shellfish attached to the surface of the geobag, and the ecological function was initially restored;

• The bag has good stability, and no structural damage has been found within five years.