Effect of geotextile sewing method on dewatering performance of geotubes: an experimental study

Geotubes are made by sewing geotextiles together and geotextiles are woven with warp and weft threads of different mechanical properties. This research explores effect of geotextile sewing method on dewatering performance of geotubes using a hanging bag test. Two types of hanging bags are made by different geotextile sewing methods: horizontal bag with the warp threads along its circular direction and vertical bag with the warp threads along its axial direction. The test results show that the dewatering performance of the bag is better if its weft stress is greater than warp stress. Combined with the stress analysis of a simplified geotube, the effect of geotextile sewing method on dewatering performance of geotubes is obtained: when the circumferential direction of geotubes is consistent with the weft threads, dewatering performance of geotubes will be better. This finding has the potential to act as a guideline for construction of geotubes in engineering.