Introduction: Historical background of applications, The advent of synthetic polymers, Early developments in geotextiles, Early developments in geocomposites, Early developments in geomeshes and geonets, Early developments in geogrids, Early developments in geomembranes, Basic geosynthetic properties, Testing of geosynthetics, References, Polymers and their Identification, The morphology of polymers, Plastics used for geomembranes and related products, Polymer identification, Volatiles, Extractables, Ash, Specific Gravity (SG), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA), Infra-Red Spectroscopy (IR), Gas Chromatography (GC), Density Determination, Melt Index (MI), Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Fingerprinting, References, Production Processes, Geogrid properties and test methods, Designing critique, Construction methods using geogrids, References, Problems, Properties Related to Structure, Physical properties, Tensile strength, Tear strength, Puncture and burst strength, Friction, Pore size, Permeability and transmissivity, Creep, Durability, References, Properties of soil, The nature of soil, The principles of effective stress, Phases and physical states, Particle size and distribution, Unit weight, Permeability, Aspects of shear strength, Undrained shear strength of cohesive soils, Drained shear strength of cohesive soils, Drained strength of noncohesive soils, References, Elememts of design, Groundwater control using trench drains, Groundwater control using horizontal drainage blankets, Groundwater control using fine drains, Static filter design, Roads and railways, References, Standards and specifications, National and international standards for testing, ASTM standards, CEN standards, National specifications: Belgium; Finland; France; Germany; Sweden; UK; USA, References, Product Reference Guide