Geosynthetics in Brazil: historical overview and future developments

This article presents the advances in geosynthetic engineering in Brazil in the last 50 years. The topics addressed encompass soil-geosynthetic interaction, reinforced embankments on soft soils, drainage and filtration, the use of vertical drains to accelerate settlements, geosynthetic-encased granular columns for soft soil improvement, structured embankments on soft soils, reinforced walls and geosynthetics in mining. The research activities employed laboratory tests, full-scale field tests, laboratory and geotechnical centrifuge tests on physical models, monitoring of projects and numerical modelling. Several of these academic studies were carried out with the support and cooperation of the geosynthetic industry and have had an important impact on constructive practices, enabling geosynthetic engineering in Brazil to reach the high level of competence and maturity that has been evident in recent years.

Keywords:
Soil-geosynthetic interaction; Reinforced embankments on soft soils; Geosynthetics in mining; Geosynthetic barriers