This Handbook introduces the reader to the basic concepts of geosynthetics durability and their assessment. Consideration of the design parameters, the project conditions and the geosynthetic properties leads to the definition of the appropriate tests to be performed for durability assessment.Geosynthetics are available in a wide range of compositions appropriate to different applications and environments. Geosynthetic products are intended to typically include geotextiles (both woven and non-woven type), geogrids, geodrains, geocells, geotubes, geocontainers, geonets, geomats, geocomposites, geomembranes and geofoams. The synthetic polymers used consist mainly of polyamide, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and PVC. These materials, when correctly processed and stabilised, are resistant to chemical and microbiological attack encountered in normal soil environments. For materials with well understood properties only a minimum number of screening or index tests are necessary.For applications in more severe environments such as soil treated with lime or cement, landfills or industrial waste, or highly acidic volcanic soils, for applications with indeterminate design lives, for applications of high temperature, or for unusual site specific conditions special tests including “performance" tests with site-specific parameters may be required.This Handbook does not cover products designed to survive for a limited time only, such as geoblankets (erosion control fabric) based on natural fibres.Creep and creep-rupture, which should be taken into consideration for soil reinforcement and prefabricated drainage applications, are described in outline but for the use of these material properties in reinforced soil design the reader is referred to AS 4678-2002 Earth-retaining structures.

First published as HB 154-2002.Reconfirmed 2018. First published as HB 154-2002.