Woven polypropylene (PP) geotextile is available in two strengths: 40 kN/m and 80 kN/m. Unlike non-woven geotextile (which is chosen by grammage), woven geotextile is specified directly by its tensile strength, because its primary function is to separate and reinforce under loads. This comparison helps you decide which fits your project: secondary roads with medium traffic or heavy embankment and structural reinforcement.
🎯 Choose your variant in 10 seconds
- If your case involves subbase stabilization, rural access roads, or secondary roads: go to the 40 kN/m variant
- If your case involves embankment reinforcement, soft soils, or heavy structural loads: go to the 80 kN/m variant
What to consider before choosing a variant
Both variants share the same material (woven PP), the same elongation at break (< 15%), the same UV resistance (≥ 85%), the same O90 pore size (0.3–0.8 mm), and the same presentation: rolls of 5.2 m × 100 m (520 m² per roll). The decision comes down to the structural load it needs to withstand:
- Structural function: woven geotextile is for separation and reinforcement under loads. If you only need to drain, filter, or protect geomembranes, use non-woven PP geotextile or non-woven PET.
- Traffic load: light to medium traffic roads work with 40 kN/m; roads with heavy traffic, embankments with concentrated loads, or soil-reinforced retaining walls require 80 kN/m.
- Soil bearing capacity: low subgrade soil CBR (< 3) requires greater reinforcement. In soft, saturated, or highly deformable soils, always upgrade to 80 kN/m.
- Fill thickness above: thin fills over soft soils transmit more stress to the geotextile. More direct load on the sheet requires more tensile strength.
- Laps and overlaps: for structural reinforcement, the minimum recommended overlap is 50 cm perpendicular to the load. Take advantage of the 5.2 m roll width to minimize joints.
40 kN/m variant: the standard for secondary roads
- 41 kN/m strength in MD and CD: balanced in both directions
- Elongation < 15%: low deformation under load
- UV resistance ≥ 85%: tolerates moderate exposure during construction
- Better cost-to-strength ratio for standard roads
- Insufficient for high embankments on soft soils
- Not recommended under heavy traffic or concentrated loads
The 40 kN/m is the benchmark for secondary road construction: rural roads, farm access roads, outdoor parking lots, and urban roads with light to medium traffic. Its main function is to separate the subbase from the subgrade (preventing material mixing) and provide lateral reinforcement. For soils with reasonable CBR and standard fills, this strength covers most projects.
80 kN/m variant: the heavy-duty option for structural reinforcement
- 80 kN/m strength in MD and CD: double the standard
- Suitable for embankments on saturated or low CBR soils
- Reduces differential settlements in civil engineering works
- Same elongation < 15% and same UV resistance ≥ 85%
- Higher cost per m² than the 40 kN/m
- Oversized for standard secondary roads
The 80 kN/m is the specification for projects where soil deformation is high or the structural load requires extra reinforcement: embankments on soft or saturated soils, soil-reinforced earth walls, heavy load storage platforms, access roads for large tonnage works. If your project does not fall into these categories, 40 kN/m is usually sufficient and more economical.
Comparative table of variants
Both variants share all functional properties (pore size, flow, elongation, UV) and differ only in ultimate strength. The choice comes down to a structural decision: what load does the geotextile need to withstand?
| Characteristic | 40 kN/m | 80 kN/m |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal use | Secondary roads | Embankments and heavy reinforcement |
| SKU | 527427 | 654134 |
| Material | Woven PP | Woven PP |
| Ultimate strength MD | 41 kN/m | 80 kN/m |
| Ultimate strength CD | 41 kN/m | 80 kN/m |
| Elongation | < 15 % | < 15 % |
| UV resistance | ≥ 85 % | ≥ 85 % |
| O90 pore size | 0.3–0.8 mm | 0.3–0.8 mm |
| Water flow | 10–180 L/m²/s | 10–180 L/m²/s |
| Packaging | 5.2 m × 100 m | 5.2 m × 100 m |
Use case matrix → recommended variant
| If your case is… | Recommended variant |
|---|---|
| Subbase stabilization on rural roads or farm access roads | → 40 kN/m |
| Outdoor parking lots or urban roads with light to medium traffic | → 40 kN/m |
| Embankment on soft or saturated soil | → 80 kN/m |
| Soil-reinforced earth wall or reinforced slope | → 80 kN/m |
| Platform for heavy loads or access to large tonnage construction sites | → 80 kN/m |
If combining woven geotextile with biaxial geogrid, first install the woven geotextile as a separation and filtration layer, then the geogrid as a discrete reinforcement layer on top. Each does what it does best. If you only use geogrid without geotextile underneath, fine soil will rise and clog the openings, leading to a loss of bearing capacity within a few months.
Do not use woven geotextile as protection under a geomembrane or as a filter in primary drainage. The woven structure has regular openings that allow fines to pass through but do not absorb puncturing by stones as well as non-woven geotextiles. For drainage and geomembrane protection, use non-woven geotextile. Woven geotextile is exclusively for separation and reinforcement under load.
Do you need 40 or 80 kN/m for your road?
Tell us about the soil type, CBR if known, expected traffic, and the square meters to cover. You will receive the exact strength recommendation and, if applicable, complementary geosynthetics (geogrid, non-woven) for your complete system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Woven or non-woven: which one should I choose?
Use woven geotextile (this product) when the main function is to separate layers and reinforce under load, especially in roads and civil engineering. Use non-woven when the main function is to drain, filter, or protect geomembrane. The simple rule is: if it supports structural load, use woven; if it manages water or protects another sheet, use non-woven.
What overlap should I leave between rolls for reinforcement?
For reinforcement under loads, a minimum of 50 cm in the direction perpendicular to the main stress, and 30 cm in the parallel direction. For separation under a secondary road subbase without critical tensile stress, 30 cm is sufficient. Take advantage of the roll width (5.2 m) to minimize longitudinal joints in the main load direction.
Should it be combined with geogrid?
It depends on the project. For standard secondary roads, woven geotextile alone is sufficient. In very soft soils or where a reduction in subbase thickness is required, it is advisable to combine the woven geotextile (separator) with a geogrid (discrete reinforcement): the geogrid provides additional traction to the system, and the woven geotextile prevents contamination of the aggregate by fines from the underlying soil.