Pyramidal Fabrics Having Multi-Lobe Filament Yarns and Method for Erosion Control

Abstract

A pyramidal geotextile fabric comprising two sets of multi-lobe filament yarns interwoven in substantially perpendicular direction to each other, each of the multi-lobe filament yarns having pre-determined, different heat shrinkage characteristics such that, upon heating, the fabric forms a three-dimensional, cuspated profile. A method of stabilizing soil and reinforcing vegetation comprises the steps of placing a three-dimensional, high-profile woven fabric into soil, wherein the fabric comprises two sets of multi-lobe filament yarns interwoven in substantially perpendicular direction to each other, each of the multi-lobe filament yarns having pre-determined, different heat shrinkage characteristics such that, upon heating, the fabric forms a three-dimensional, cuspated profile; securing the fabric to the ground; and, distributing soil and seed onto the fabric such that the section of ground is quickly revegetated and thereby protected from further erosion.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A three-dimensional, single-layered, geotextile mat comprising woven drawn, trilobal, heat-shrinkable, thermoplastic polymer filament yarns comprising a denier in the range of about 1200 to about 2000 having a cuspated conformation on both an upper face of the geotextile mat and a lower face of the geotextile mat wherein the upper and lower faces of the mat comprise the same composition. 
     
     
         18 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  comprising a waffle weave pattern. 
     
     
         19 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  comprising a honeycomb weave pattern. 
     
     
         20 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  wherein each trilobal filament yarns comprises different heat shrinkage characteristics depending upon its position within the woven mat. 
     
     
         21 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  wherein the cuspated conformation comprises pyramidal shapes. 
     
     
         22 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  wherein the drawn, trilobal, thermoplastic polymer, filament yarn includes a cross-sectional geometry having a core region and three substantially curved lobes and three channels. 
     
     
         23 . The geotextile mat of  claim 22  wherein the trilobal filament yarns comprise a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyphenylene oxide, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  wherein the trilobal filament yarns comprise a polyolefin. 
     
     
         25 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  wherein the trilobal filament yarns comprise a polyamide. 
     
     
         26 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  wherein the trilobal filament yarns comprise a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         27 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  wherein the trilobal filament yarns comprise a blend of at least two of the polymers. 
     
     
         28 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  the drawn, trilobal, thermoplastic polymer, filament yarn includes a cross-sectional geometry having a core region and three nonsymmetrical lobes and three channels. 
     
     
         29 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  wherein the trilobal filament yarns are biaxially heat shrinkable. 
     
     
         30 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  wherein the trilobal filament yarns comprise a cross-sectional geometry having a core region and three nonsymmetrical lobes and three nonsymmetrical channels. 
     
     
         31 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  wherein the single layer woven mat having a cuspated conformation is heated to produce differing levels of shrinkage in the trilobal filament yarns, which is dependent upon each yarn's individual position within the single layer woven mat. 
     
     
         32 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  comprising a thickness in the range of about 0.25 inches (250 mils) to about 0.5 inches (500 mils). 
     
     
         33 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  comprising a modulus at 10% elongation of at least about 9000 pounds/foot in the warp direction and about 9000 pounds/foot in the filling direction. 
     
     
         34 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  comprising a tensile strength in the warp direction of about 1800 pounds/foot and about 1800 pounds/foot in the filling direction. 
     
     
         35 . The geotextile mat of  claim 17  wherein the trilobal filament yarns comprise a cross-sectional geometry having a core region and three nonuniform lobes and three nonuniform channels.