Book excerpt: Geotextiles and geomembranes, made from synthetic polymers such as woven or non-woven fabrics, membranes, sheets and composites, have a variety of uses: in erosion control systems, embankments, pollution control systems, water storage, drainage and road construction. Taking all these applications into consideration, numerous laboratory and prototype tests were performed, the results of which have been published in this handbook, which includes sections on: · geotextile and geomembrane history · function analysis · production technology · project realization · soil reinforcement Designed for civil engineers, this text covers a broad range of areas and provides a useful handbook for those working with geotextiles and geomembranes.