Pore size distribution of hybrid nonwoven geotextiles

Pore size distribution has become a prerequisite in determining the performance of geotextiles for various functions including filtration, separation and reinforcement. The pore structure and morphology in a nonwoven geotextile are known to be complex and it becomes further complicated in hybrid nonwoven geotextiles consisting of two types of fibers. In this study, a modified model of pore size distribution of hybrid nonwoven geotextiles has been proposed based on sieving-percolation pore network theory. A comparison has been made between theoretical and experimental pore size distributions of hybrid needlepunched nonwoven geotextiles consisting of predefined weight proportions of viscose and polyester fibers. The weight proportions of the constituent fibers have been theoretically analysed for obtaining the desired pore size distributions of hybrid nonwoven geotextiles.