Application of the bubble point method to the characterization of the pore-size distribution of geotextiles

For the design of a geotextile as a filter, reliable information about the pore-size distribution of the geotextile is needed. The bubble point method is one technique that is able to provide this information for a geotextile. The bubble point method is a simple and rapid technique for evaluating pore-size distributions of virgin, clogged, and stretched geotextiles. In addition, the bubble point equipment is also capable of providing information as to the degree of clogging within a geotextile and the permeability of a geotextile. The geotextile pore-size distribution results obtained by the bubble point method showed good repeatability. However, the bubble point was only able to distinguish between geotextiles that had significantly different cross sections. Pore-size distribution results for geotextiles with similar cross sections, but of increasing thickness, were very similar.