Geotextiles used as flexible forms

Abstract Traditionally, wood and metal have been used to contain concrete or cementatious grouts in the forming of constructed facilities. These materials result in rigid forms which are positioned and fixed in location until the material placed in them adequately cures and has sufficient strength for self-support. While the constraint of a rigid form is an obvious advantage in building a concrete wall or footing to exact line and grade, it is a decided disadvantage in a number of other applications. These situations, which can capitalize on the use of a flexible form made from a geotextile, are described in this paper. As will be seen, all of the applications bear heavily on infrastructure enhancement and remediation.