Chilean experiences with geosynthetics in embankments

At present every geosynthetics (or geocomposites) application in Chile is being analysed employing functional design procedures. As in many other applications, geosynthetics included in embankments built on soft soil (clay and organic material) and/or on soluble-salt soil, are fulfilling varied basic functions such as separation, drainage, reinforcement and/or impermeabilization. New products are being marketed and used prior to the availability of relevant standard testing methods. As result of this state of affairs, too often the engineers find themselves obliged to choose between two alternatives, namely: testing using available but irrelevant standards, or else discarding testing. The present work is supplying useful guidelines covering the knowledge of the actual geosynthetics behaviour in Chilean highway and mining applications and characterization concerning Chilean embankment constructions including geosynthetics, along with recommendations on this subject-matter. These recommendations are providing an up-to-date checking of general principles and subsequent testing procedures and/or requirements regarding highway and mining applications in accordance with Chilean geological and geotechnical realities.