Performance Tests for the Selection of Fabrics and Additives When Used as Geotextile Bags, Containers, and Tubes

There are two performance tests available for the selection of fabrics and additives when contemplating a geotextile bag, container, or tube application. They are the "hanging bag test" and the "pillow test." Both tests are described in this paper along with data generated by their use. While both can be used for selection purposes, the advantages of the pillow test over the hanging bag test are quite compelling. Items favoring the pillow test are much smaller size, need for less dredged or slurried infill material, better field simulated orientation, and the capability of monitoring hydraulic head versus time behavior. This last item is most important since dredging pressures are always involved and the simulated behavior of the pillow test gives good insight into the anticipated behavior of the full-scale application.