Definition of Geotube
A geotube, also known as a geotube or geotextile tube, is a tubular structure made primarily of high-strength geotextile fabric. It is used for solid-liquid separation, drainage, and soil reinforcement. It typically takes the form of a long strip or tube and can be filled with slurry, soil, or other granular materials. Combining the high strength, permeability, and durability of geotextile fabric, a geotube can withstand high filling pressures while allowing liquid to drain, thereby consolidating solid particles and reinforcing the soil.
Geotube Structural Features
Geotubes are primarily constructed of high-strength, permeable geotextiles. Some designs also incorporate reinforcement or composite layers to enhance their pressure-bearing capacity. The core objectives of their structural design are:
Load-bearing fill: able to withstand the weight and pressure of injected slurry or soil;
Water permeability: allowing liquids to flow while retaining solid particles;
Durability and stability: withstanding outdoor environments, UV rays, acid and alkali corrosion, and mechanical wear.
Typical geotubes are long or cylindrical in shape, with customizable lengths depending on project requirements and diameters generally ranging from 0.5 to 5 meters.
Geotube Applications
1. Water Conservancy Projects
In water conservancy projects, geotubes are primarily used for river dredging, riverbed silt treatment, and reservoir siltation control.
Riverbed silt treatment: Over long-term operation, rivers accumulate large amounts of silt, impacting water flow and riverbed stability. Slurry is injected into geotubes, where it is drained through a permeable geotextile. Solid particles settle and solidify within the tubes, rapidly reducing silt accumulation.
Reservoir siltation control: Sediment accumulation within reservoirs reduces their storage capacity. Geotubes convert silt into solidifiable bulk materials for riverbank reinforcement or embankment reinforcement.
Drainage and pressure relief: Geotubes drain seepage water from embankment or channel slopes, reducing soil water pressure and increasing structural safety.
The use of geotubes shortens the construction period of water conservancy projects while minimizing secondary environmental pollution.
Environmental Protection Projects
Sludge Solidification in Wastewater Treatment Plants: The sludge generated during sewage treatment has a high moisture content, making traditional treatment methods time-consuming and space-consuming. Geotubes allow the sludge to be naturally dehydrated after injection, forming a stable mass of solid particles for easy transportation or landfill.
Waste Treatment: High-water-content wastes such as slag and industrial sludge can be treated using geotubes to reduce land occupation and the risk of secondary pollution.
Ecological Restoration: In river restoration projects, geotubes can be used for silt solidification, wetland construction, or riverbank greening, solving drainage problems while promoting plant growth and improving the ecological environment.
Port and Coastal Engineering
In port, wharf, and coastal engineering projects, geotubes are commonly used for seawall reinforcement, shoreline silt treatment, and dike construction:
Seawall and Coastline Reinforcement: Geotubes are injected to form a stable soil mass that resists wave scour and tidal erosion.
Estuary Silt Control: Estuaries contain large amounts of silt. Geotubes can quickly reduce and solidify the mass, reducing the frequency of silt removal.
Port Reclamation and Infrastructure: During port reclamation, geotubes can be used as temporary or permanent structural materials to stabilize the fill.
Applicability
Versatile: Simultaneously achieves solid-liquid separation, drainage, and soil reinforcement.
Easy to apply: Can be used with mechanical grouting equipment for high efficiency.
Environmentally friendly: Reduces slurry discharge and environmental pollution.
Widely adaptable: Suitable for a variety of projects, including water conservancy, environmental protection, roads, ports, and soft foundation treatment.
