SECTION 207 - GEOSYNTHETICS
207-1 Description.
207-1.01 Geotextiles. The work shall consist of furnishing and installing approved Geotextile of the
Class and Type indicated, at the locations, and in the manner shown on the plans or as directed by the Engineer, in writing, prior to performing the work.
207-1.02 Geomembranes. The work shall consist of furnishing and installing approved Geomembrane,
including the preparation of the surface upon which the Geomembrane is placed, at the locations and in the manner shown on the plans or as directed by the Engineer, in writing, prior to performing the work.
207-1.03 Prefabricated Composite Drains for Structures. The work shall consist of furnishing and
installing an approved Prefabricated Composite Structural Drain (PCSD) or Prefabricated Composite Integral Abutment Drain (PCIAD) as specified at the location (s) shown on the contract documents or as directed by the Engineer, in writing, prior to performing the work. Prior to installation, the Contractor shall furnish the Engineer with copies of the manufacturer’s literature with details and installation requirements for the PCSD or PCIAD. If not included in the manufacturer’s literature, a letter identifying the geotextile wrap shall also be provided to the Engineer.
207-2 MATERIALS. Materials shall meet the requirements specified in the following subsections of
Section 700 – Materials. Geotextiles §737-01 Geotextile Bedding §737-01 A. Geotextile Separation §737-01 B. Geotextile Drainage §737-01 C. Geotextile Slope Protection §737-01 D. Geotextile Stabilization §737-01 E. Turbidity Curtain §737-01 F. Silt Fence §737-01 G. Geomembranes §737-02 Prefabricated Composite Structural Drains §737-04 Prefabricated Composite Integral Abutment Drains §737-05 Materials shall be subject to the Department’s Quality Assurance (QA) program outlined in Section 737.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2 Adhesives used for joining geotextiles shall be fast-tacking, not be detrimental to the performance, lifespan or function of the geotextile, and create a bond strong enough to meet AASHTO M288 requirements for seam efficiency.
207-3 Construction Details.
207-3.01 Geotextiles.
A.General. The Geotextiles shall be protected from exposure to sunlight during transport and storage. After placement, the Geotextile shall not be left uncovered for more than two (2) weeks. Traffic or construction equipment will not be permitted directly on the Geotextile. Geotextiles may be joined by sewing, using adhesive or overlapping. Sewn seams shall be lapped a minimum of 4 in. and double sewn. The thread used to sew the seam shall be nylon or polypropylene. Geotextiles that are joined using adhesive shall be lapped a minimum of 4 in. Overlapped seams shall have a minimum overlap of 20 in. except when placed under water where the overlap shall be a minimum of 3 ft. All seams shall be subject to the approval of the Engineer. Geotextile which becomes torn or damaged due to the Contractor’s operations shall be replaced or patched at no cost to the State. The patch shall extend 3 ft. beyond the perimeter of the tear or damage.
B.Bedding and Slope Protection. The Geotextile shall be placed and anchored on a prepared surface approved by the Engineer. The Geotextile shall be laid loosely but in intimate contact with the soil so that placement of the overlying materials will not stretch or tear the Geotextile. Where Geotextile is placed above water, the backfill placement shall begin at the toe and proceed up the slope. Where Geotextile is placed under water, the long dimension (provided that the width dimension is wider than the channel width) shall be placed parallel to the direction of flow. If the width dimension is not wider than the channel width, the long dimension shall be placed perpendicular to the direction of flow. Successive Geotextile sheets shall be overlapped so that the upstream sheet is placed over the downstream sheet. As the Geotextile is placed under water, the backfill material shall be placed on it to the required thickness. The Geotextile placement shall not progress more than 50 ft. ahead of the backfill placement. Rip-rap, stone filling (Heavy) or stone filling (Medium) shall not be dropped onto the Geotextile from a height greater than 1 ft. Slope protection and smaller sizes of stone filling shall not be dropped onto the Geotextile from a height exceeding 3 ft.
C.Separation and Stabilization. The Geotextile shall be placed as directed by the Engineer. The Geotextile shall be laid loosely but in intimate contact with the soil so that placement of the overlying material will not stretch or tear the Geotextile.
D.Drainage. The Geotextile shall be placed to conform loosely to the shape of the trench. After placing the filter material, the Geotextile shall be folded over the top of the filter material to produce a minimum overlap of 12 in. The Geotextile shall then be covered with the subsequent course.
207-3.02 Geomembranes. The Geomembrane shall be protected during transport and storage. The
surface upon which the Geomembrane is to be placed shall be within reasonable conformity to the proposed grade. Traffic or construction equipment will not be permitted directly on the Geomembrane. Care shall be exercised by workers when walking or working on the Geomembrane. Seams shall be sealed as per the manufacturer's recommendations and to the satisfaction of the Engineer. The edges of the Geomembrane shall be secured in the manner shown on the contract plans or as directed by the Engineer.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2 Geomembrane which becomes torn or damaged shall be replaced or patched as ordered by the Engineer. The patch shall extend 3 ft. beyond the perimeter of the tear or damage and the seams shall be approved by the Engineer.
207-3.03 Prefabricated Composite Drains for Structures. The Contractor shall install the drain in
accordance with Standard Sheet 207-01 Prefabricated Composite Drain Installation Details and in conformance with the manufacturer’s installation procedures. The drain shall be installed so that the backfill, when placed, will be in contact with the geotextile and forms a continuous drainage layer without interruption within the drain’s plane. In installations where concrete is to be poured against the prefabricated composite drain, only drains with impermeable cores will be allowed. At all locations, a positive outlet for the water in the drain shall be provided. This may involve making a hole in the core at the weep hole locations for approved drains with an impermeable core. Do not puncture the geotextile. Any damaged geotextile shall be repaired. Adhesive shall be applied to the wall surface, and not directly to the drain. During all periods of shipment and storage, the drain shall be wrapped and protected from direct exposure to sunlight, mud, dirt and debris. Care shall be exercised while backfilling to prevent damage to the drain. Repairs or replacements of drain damaged by construction operations shall be performed, as directed by the Engineer, at no cost to the State.
207-4 Method of Measurement.
207-4.01 Geotextiles.
A.General. The quantity of Geotextile will be the number of square yards computed from the payment lines indicated in the contract documents. Measurement will not be made for Geotextile used for repairs, seams, or overlaps. If taken, the amount of quality assurance samples will be added to this quantity.
B.Drainage. The quantity of Geotextile will be measured in area based on the theoretical perimeter determined from the typical section indicated in the contract documents.
207-4.02 Geomembranes. The quantity of Geomembrane will be the number of square yards computed
from the payment lines indicated in the contract documents. Measurement will not be made for Geomembranes used for repairs, seams, or overlaps.
207-4.03 Prefabricated Composite Drains for Structures. The quantity of PCSD or PCIAD will be
measured in square yards installed computed from the payment lines indicated in the contract documents.
207-5 Basis of Payment.
207-5.01 Geotextiles. The unit price bid shall include the cost of furnishing all labor, equipment, and
materials necessary to complete the work, including the cost of preparing the surface upon which the Geotextile is placed. No payment will be made for replacement or repairs.
207-5.02 Geomembranes. The unit price bid shall include the cost of furnishing all labor, materials, and
equipment necessary to satisfactorily complete the work, including the cost of preparing the surface upon which the Geomembrane is placed and securing the edges of the Geomembrane. No payment will be made for replacement or repairs.
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NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Sections 200 - 599 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 Volume 2
207-5.03 Prefabricated Composite Drains for Structures. The unit price bid shall include the cost of
furnishing all labor, equipment, and material necessary to complete the work, including all appurtenances to seal and properly outlet the drain. No payment will be made for repairs or replacement. Payment will be made under: Item No. Item Pay Unit 207.20 Geotextile Bedding Square Yard 207.21 Geotextile Separation Square Yard 207.22 Geotextile Drainage Square Yard 207.23 Geotextile Slope Protection Square Yard 207.24 Geotextile Stabilization Square Yard 207.25 Geomembrane Square Yard 207.26 Prefabricated Composite Structural Drain Square Yard 207.27 Prefabricated Composite Integral Abutment Drain Square Yard
Referenced in this section
Geosynthetics in other states
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Source: Standard Specifications (US Customary Units), 2026 (Jan) Edition. Pages 266–269 of 1,489. View official source ↗